Jammu May-26-2023:- In a Public Interest Litigation has been taken up suo-moto by this Court upon certain facts being brought to the notice of the Chief Justice of this Court, wherein it has been highlighted that the registered dog bite cases in Ladakh have exponentially increased from 854 in 2017 to 2229 in 2022 and about 220 people were reportedly bitten by dogs in January, 2023 alone. This has created fear psychos not only amongst to local populace but also the tourists. It has been further reported that street dogs are attacking wild herbivores which is also of a grave concern for the local people and cattle owners.
A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Comprising Chief Justice N. Kotishwar Singh and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi directed espondent authorities to ensure strict adherence to the course mentioned in para-6 of the status report and take all the necessary and appropriate steps for its implementation and submit the action taken report thereof by the next date of hearing with an advance copy to the other side.
When the PIL Came-up for hearing, DB observed that Respondents have filed their status report, copy whereof has been furnished to the petitioner in the open Court. The status report filed by the respondents No. 1 & 2, inter-alia reveals that the authorities have charted out the future course of action to mitigate the problem faced by the general public due to serious inconveniences and harm caused by the stray dogs which have been spelt out in para-6 of the status report. We are of the view that if the respondents take appropriate actions in terms of this proposal, many of the problems relating to menace caused by stray dogs can be addressed as an interim measure. Accordingly, we direct the respondent authorities to ensure strict adherence to the course mentioned in para-6 of the status report and take all the necessary and appropriate steps for its implementation and submit the action taken report thereof by the next date of hearing with an advance copy to the other side.
According to the Para 6 of the status report for facility of reference, is reproduced herein below:- “FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION Under the chairmanship of Administrative Secretary Animal/Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries, Ladakh, following steps will be taken by UT Administration in order to combat the menace of dog bite cases:-
Animal Husbandry Department Prepare an action plan for Mission Mode ABC Programme in Ladakh during the year 2023. ii. Department to make 6 Sector teams with 8-10 veterinarians and Para-vets in different region of Leh/Kargil which shall sterilize dogs in rural and urban areas, and those team to be trained and weekly progress report to be taken as per task assigned. Whenever required by any stakeholders and also to make team for providing post operative carte to the sterilized dogs and use of the Hormone injection to stop breeding to be explored. iii. The Department to maintain complete record of sterilized dogs and to maintain record of dog bite cases in livestock population and possibility of ear tagging of sterilized dogs. iv. To prepare an action plan for conservation of Changkhi breed of dogs. v. Seeking expert advice for long term planning and monitoring of Animal Birth control for stray dogs.
Municipal Committee, Leh/Kargil to submit the detailed action plan along with remuneration to be paid to the dog catchers in the municipal areas of Led and Kargil. Department shall ensure that dog catchers and staff shall be provided with proper gears, equipments and ensure their prophylaxis vaccination for their safety. ii. Municipal Committee, Leh/Kargil to make guidelines for pet dogs and to initiate the registration, vaccination and sterilization of pet dogs in Ladakh and fixing penalty also in case of non compliance and making relevant rules thereby. The sterilized dogs shall be ear tagged in order to maintain proper records. iii. Food waste management in Municipal Corporation areas and streamlining food waste in army cantonments post discussions with the Army, further stressing on spreading awareness about sterilization, rabies & vaccination as part of the MCs Tsangda project. iv. The department for construction of dog sanctuary/shelter for keeping the injured, accidental and furious dogs and for the post operative care of the sterilized dogs. v. The department to conduct a census of stray dog in municipal areas and to submit action plan for sterilization camps in collaboration with HAD. vi. A detailed public awareness programme to be started. vii.Setting up of an Animal Helpline to register complaints related to injured animals, Dog-nuisance and biting cases and creating large scale awareness.
Wildlife Department. :- The department to conduct a census of stray dogs in wildlife areas and to submit action plan for sterilization camps in collaboration with AHD. ii. Wild life warden, Leh to utilize the available funds for the engagement of dog catchers and conduct of camps in wildlife areas and to support Animal Husbandry department for such camps. iii. The department to procure tranquiller guns as per requirement for maximum catching of feral dogs during sterilization camps.
The NGOs increase the manpower in rescue operation. ii. To provide shelter to the injured and furious stray dogs. iii. To provide a medical care to the stray dogs. iv. To work in coordination with Animal Husbandry Department for the welfare of the stray dogs. 5. Police Department, Ladakh i. Police Department to keep vigil at check posts situated at entry points of Ladakh for dogs imported from outside Ladakh without prior registration. Also, prevention of dumping of dogs by Army, locals, and others in Leh and Kargil town areas.” List on 14th June, 2023, along with the compliance report. JNF