Read Time: 06 minutes

Expanding the scope of the petition pertaining to the issue of stray dogs inside the Indian Institute of Technology- Madras Campus, the Madras High Court last week called for suggestions to deal with not only the stray dogs' menace at public places but also of pet animals.

The bench of Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice P.D.Audikesavalu orally remarked that the Government of Tamil Nadu and Chennai Corporation should come up with rules which place the onus on pet owners for menace created by their pets in public places. 

Court suggested that for this purpose, the authorities can study the practices being followed in foreign countries. Consequently, all the litigant parties which also include a non-governmental organization, have been directed to file their suggestion on the issue by February 9, 2022. 

These suggestions can be submitted in the form of an affidavit or a document, which would be considered on the next date of hearing.

The litigation chain started when an organization, People For Cattle In India, brought to court’s attention the plight of the dogs that abound in the IIT campus.

The organization had filed a plea in connection with the death of 49 dogs at the IIT Campus. The organization had informed the court that these dogs had died due to various reasons at the institute premises and the health of remaining alive was also delicate.

Thereafter, inspections were done by various agencies, including the Animal Welfare Board of India, the Greater Chennai Corporation, and the Animal Husbandry Department of the State and reports were prepared.

IIT had also informed the court that every dog on its campus is micro-chipped and three separate enclosures have been provided since some of the dogs are aggressive and impede movement within the campus and sometimes tend to threaten students.

However, even then the organisation had insisted that these dogs required special attention on part of the Institute. To this, the High Court had remarked that "IIT had done its best for the dogs within its campus".

The court had even said that it is for the State to ensure that that IIT does not become a dumping ground for abandoned dogs and some measures in such regard need to be put in place.

After that, suggestions were called by the court for framework of the Rules as to how stray dogs can be taken care of in best possible manner and at the same time, to evolve a trial for sterilization through the Municipal Corporation.

On the last date of hearing on December 9, 2021, the Municipal Corporation, Chennai was also directed to visit the IIT Campus where the dogs are kept and to consider releasing them.

However, the court had directed that those dogs will be released only if they are found fit for appropriate areas without objection of the residents of that area or elsewhere, with proper monitoring of those dogs.

The latest development has taken place after the remaining 22 dogs, which were under observation and rehabilitation at the Institute were directed to be set free.

Case Title: People For Cattle In India, Vs. The Chairman, And Another.