Asking the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to take appropriate action, the Delhi High Court observed that “stray dog menace” was a serious issue.
A single judge bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma in its August 24 order quashed two FIRs registered in 2014 against a woman, wherein it was alleged that her pet dogs had bitten a man and his father on two different occasions.
While the FIRs, registered under Sections 289 (Negligent conduct with respect to animal) and 337 (Causing hurt by an act which endangers human life), were quashed, the court observed, “However, the issue of stray dog menace is a serious issue, which needs to be addressed with urgency by the concerned authority.”
The HC added, “Let a copy of this order be sent to Commissioner, MCD for taking appropriate action.”
The high court quashed the FIRs after both parties — the woman and her neighbours —amicably settled the issue last year.
“The parties are neighbours living in the same vicinity.The dispute between the parties is predominantly private in nature and the parties have amicably settled all their disputes. In the interest of justice it would be better to put a quietus to the dispute. The chances of conviction would also be bleak, given that the parties do not wish to pursue the present complaints on account of the settlement. I do not see any reason to reject the settlement,” Justice Sharma said.
The petitioner woman argued that she is a philanthropist and an animal lover who regularly feeds stray dogs and small pups living in her neighborhood. Her counsel submitted that the dogs who had allegedly bitten the complainants were “in fact stray dogs and not her pet and the petitioner possibly could not have any control over the stray dogs”.
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The counsels for both parties said that while the proceedings were underway, all the parties reached an “amicable settlement” as per a compromise deed dated May 16, 2022.
The HC further noted the parties’ submission that they are neighbours and have resolved to live peacefully in the future. “The parties state that they have no objection if the present FIRs and all other proceedings emanating therefrom are quashed,” the HC noted.
Considering the overall “facts and circumstances” of the case the HC quashed the two FIR’s and all other proceedings “emanating” from it.
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