The High Court of Karnataka has emphasized that while showing sympathy towards stray dogs through feeding them is commendable, it should not lead to chaos and pose a danger to the public. This statement came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) focused on the alleged delay by the state government in implementing the Animal Welfare Board’s guidelines.
The division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit, asserted that citizens who engage in feeding stray dogs have a responsibility to ensure that their actions do not create hindrances or health hazards for their fellow citizens. The court expressed frustration with the government’s delayed response to the petition and directed the government to address the issue promptly. The government was given a three-week deadline to file objections to the PIL, with a warning that the court may take further action if there is any additional delay.
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During the proceedings, the court highlighted the importance of citizens’ involvement in this matter and pointed out that feeding animals in undesignated locations can result in health hazards and other problems.
The court also noted, “The common experience is that except for the feeding of street dogs, there is no incident being reported where such citizens are coming forward to assist public bodies in the exercise of sterilization or vaccination of stray dogs.”
Regarding the act of feeding stray dogs, the High Court expressed understanding for showing sympathy to animals but emphasized that it should not come at the expense of creating chaos. The court raised concerns about the potential risks associated with feeding stray dogs in locations not designated for such activities, including the possibility of dogs approaching school-going children.
