Dog bites: Palike directed to frame rules for ex gratia

The High Court of Karnataka on Friday directed the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to conduct sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs in the City on a regular basis.

During the hearing of a batch of petitions seeking to end stray dog menace and payment of compensation to dog bite victims, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna said the dogs which mauled or bit children or adults could be exterminated.

The Bench said the Palike should set up helplines in zonal offices. Observing that municipal solid waste was not the cause for stray dog menace, the Bench directed the Palike to frame guidelines for grant of compensation to the victims.

“The animal welfare organisation and the monitoring committee as contemplated in ABC Rules, 2001, should  ensure complete sterilisation of healthy dogs particularly within territorial jurisdiction of BBMP.

It is advisable to entrust the responsibility of sterilisation and vaccination to NGOs or other agencies in a decentralised manner,” the Bench observed.

The Court also suggested the owners of pet dogs not to let loose their dogs while taking them for a walk. 

Officer summoned

The High Court on Friday took the BDA and BBMP to task for permitting a private builder to construct KKR Vajra apartments on the land earmarked for road.

“How did you approve the plan? You people have allowed the apartment in the middle of the road. One fourth of the construction is on road,” the Division Bench questioned the Palike during the hearing of a petition seeking directions to clear encroachments at the MLA Layout.

When the Court found that an unique number had been allotted to the property and permission for construction was given by the Ramakanth, the Assistant Revenue Officer, Ganganagar, Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen was furious and directed his presence before the court and observed, “This is corruption down right. The description submitted does not match with the location.”

The counsel for the Palike, who submitted a report on the direction of the Court said some of the encroachments had been cleared and mentioned that the apartments had encroached about 900 sq feet. The Court said as far as BDA was concerned heads would roll and directed its counsel to bring senior persons to explain about the mess. The matter was adjourned.