Recently, the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) took cognizance of rising dog bite incidents across India and directed the Animal Welfare Board of India, Haryana, to investigate the matter and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR). The Commission underscored the gravity of the situation and emphasised the need for immediate intervention by authorities.
The issue came to light following the publication of data in the Lok Sabha, revealing that approximately 21,95,122 cases of dog bites were reported in 2024, with nearly five lakh victims being children and 37 fatalities recorded. The alarming figures prompted the complainant, Anubhava Shrivastava Shahai, to approach the NHRC, alleging a gross failure of state governments in addressing the crisis. In her complaint, the petitioner highlighted that the authorities had failed to regulate the stray dog population due to ineffective sterilization programs and lack of proper infrastructure to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Guidelines. She further pointed out that the absence of shelter homes for aggressive and feral dogs, as mandated by the 2023 ABC Guidelines, has exacerbated the problem, leading to an increased threat to public safety.
Additionally, it was contended by the complainant that monitoring committees at the central, state and local levels were either non-functional or had not been properly constituted in every district, resulting in inadequate measures to control the stray dog menace. She urged the NHRC to issue directions to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and all state governments to take immediate steps to protect citizens.
Upon consideration of the complaint, NHRC Assistant Registrar (Law) Brijvir Singh directed that the matter be forwarded to the Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Haryana, for necessary action. The NHRC ordered the Board to investigate the allegations and submit an ATR within four weeks for the Commission’s perusal.
The Commission further directed that a copy of the complaint and the intimation be sent as an attachment to ensure compliance with its directives. The NHRC made it clear that strict action would follow in case of non-compliance with its orders within the stipulated timeframe.
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