The Supreme Court of India has intervened in one of the major life-and-death issues in various states of the country, including Kerala. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath has ordered state governments to take immediate steps to remove stray dogs from public space. The court directed that steps be taken to remove stray dogs from government offices, educational institutions, bus stands, railway stations, sports complexes, hospitals and similar places, schools should conduct daily inspections, and asked the Chief Secretaries to ensure that the governments comply with these instructions. Stray dogs that are caught should be taken to shelter homes, sterilised and protected.
As the world moves forward with the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing deaths from rabies to zero by 2030, India is witnessing a situation in which dog attacks and rabies-related deaths are rising every year. According to the figures tabled in Parliament by the Union Minister for Animal Husbandry, while 37,15,713 people were attacked by stray dogs in 2024, 4,29,664 cases were reported in January this year alone. In 2022, 21 people died due to rabies. In 2023, it increased to 50 and last year to 54.
The fear of dogs has disrupted the peaceful life of Kerala. Believers going to places of worship, workers going to earn a living, children going to playgrounds and schools, motorists and morning walkers are all stepping out in fear. Almost half of the traffic accidents that reach hospitals every day are caused by stray dogs jumping over them. There have also been numerous incidents in which stray dogs entered house courtyards and bit elderly people and children, offering no safety even to those who stayed inside their homes out of fear of being attacked.
Who is responsible for this ‘dog menace’ that is widespread in the country? In any case, it is not these poor creatures who lack intellect. Since ancient times, these creatures, which have been faithful companions of humans, deserve all kinds of consideration as creatures of the merciful God and as heirs of the earth. It is our duty to provide them with food, water, and protection from heat and cold, just like any other living being. They should be kept safe from accidents and attacks by other creatures, and treated if they become sick. However, without ensuring any of that, things get out of control when we push them to roam the streets and scavenge for food in waste bins. If local governments or associations realise the seriousness of the issue and come up with solutions, some will jump to the picture shouting as animal lovers. Their leader was a former Union Minister who did not even blink an eye to say no, when her leaders openly called for killing human beings and her followers carried out massacres. Even governments are afraid of them to take practical measures to control stray dogs. The seriousness of the issue is evident from the fact that people had to seek relief from the Supreme Court itself to escape from dogs.
The Supreme Court has also directed that not only stray dogs but animals including cattle should be removed from major roads. Special patrols should be conducted for this. Cows and other animals wandering through various markets often cause traffic accidents, and if a vehicle accidentally hits one of them, it can even lead to riots; in states with special laws for cow protection, a case is certain. The rhythm of nature becomes correct only when it ensures the happy life of humans and other living beings. The groups who benefit from the imbalance of it want the stray dog problem to remain unresolved forever. It cannot be expected that they will remain quiet in future. In any case, it is hoped that the situation in which people have to run away in disgust and fear at the sight of dogs will be avoided through the measures taken in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive.