Supreme Court to hear the matter on 12 July related to euthanizing of suspected rabid stray dogs/ dangerous dogs

On June 20, 2023, the district panchayat of Kannur filed an interlocutory application seeking the euthanizing of suspected rabid dogs/ extremely dangerous dogs considering the increase in violent attacks by stray dogs in the district of Kannur. The application was filed after the death of an 11-year-old speech-impaired child who was mauled by a pack of stray dogs at Kannur. It was determined that various similar incidents happened earlier, one of which occurred last year in the Kottayam District of Kerala. While mentioning the matter before the bench, it was observed that a large number of incidents related to dog bites were reported across the District, especially against children. Further, a brief about such incidents were highlighted in the application, “It is pertinent to mention that 5794 stray dogs attacks were reported in 2019, 3951 cases in 2020, 7927 cases in 2021, 11776 cases were reported in 2022 and 6276 cases are reported upto 19th June 2023 in Kannur District itself. It is further submitted that there are approximately 28000 stray dogs in the limits of the Application herein.” Today, the Supreme Court’s vacation bench including Justice MM Sundresh, and Justice Surya Kant ordered, “On the oral request of the counsel, the matter has been taken on board on the date fixed, that is, 12 July. Counter affidavit to be filed by 7 July.” IA also argued that recently in the state, about 65 ducks and a large number of domestic animals were also killed by violent stray dogs. In this context, the Panchayat urged to give permission to euthanize suspected rabid dogs/ extremely dangerous dogs.