The Supreme Court on Tuesday continued the hearing on stray dogs case and suggested "heavy" financial consequences for every dog bite and every death related to it. It also said that dog feeders would be held responsible for attacks since the effects of these attacks remain "lifelong".
In addition, the Supreme Court questioned why it is acceptable that stray dogs are not restrained from roaming open and wild, thus allowing them to bite or chase human beings.
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The bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria was hearing the matter.
What did the top court say?
During the hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court was quoted by Live Law as saying, "For every dog bite, for every death, we will be likely fixing heavy compensation for states for not making requisite arrangements. And also liability to dog feeders. You take them to your house, keep them, why should they be allowed to roam around, biting, chasing? The effect of a dog bite is lifelong."
'Take them to your house'
The apex court added, "Also, liability and accountability on those who are saying we are feedings dogs. Do it, take them to your house. Why should dogs be littering around, biting, scaring people?"
The SC further asked, "Who should be made responsible when a nine-year old child is killed by dogs who are fed by a particular organisation? Should the organisation not be made liable for damages?"
The Bench said that dogs carry a certain virus and leave victims with an incurable disease. "Dogs carry a certain virus...tigers which attacked dogs in Ranthambore were infected with an incurable disease," the top court said.
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Earlier hearings
During earlier hearing on stray dogs, the three-judge bench highlighted safety risks posed by animals on highways and said, "No one can read the animal's behavior or when he is in a mood to bite. Thus, prevention is better than cure."
"The roads have to be clear and clean of dogs. They might not bite, but they still cause accidents. Why do we need dogs on streets, schools and institutional areas?" the bench had said.
