Family demands justice for child mauled by stray dogs

Samad Hoque

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New Delhi, February 26

The family of one-and-a-half-year-old Divyanshi, who lost her life after being mauled by a pack of stray dogs in Tughlaq Lane on Saturday, has demanded action against the individual responsible for providing food and shelter to the stray dogs in the area.

‘Have told NDMC to find solution’

A one-and-a-half-year-old girl was tragically killed in stray dog attacks in the Dhobi Ghat area of New Delhi. Today, I met with the girl’s family. Stray dogs roaming freely in residential areas pose a very serious threat. I have instructed NDMC officials to urgently find a solution to this problem. Ensuring the safety of children and local residents is of utmost importance. — Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister

In their complaint, the family has alleged that a woman resident of the area regularly provided food to the stray dogs. The child’s grandfather Naresh Kumar said, “She was standing with the rest of the family members near the gate of the Dhobi Ghat, but no one noticed when she went to the alley where the dogs mauled her.”

“The woman used to send her helpers to feed the dogs in the area. We demand strict action against her,” he added.

Kumar added that another child in their family was attacked by dogs three months ago, though fortunately, he did not sustain serious injuries. The grieving family also stated that they had previously complained to the woman about the dogs, but their concerns were disregarded.

A passerby noticed the dogs biting something in the alley and upon closer inspection realised it was a child. He promptly informed the family, Kumar added.

Supreme Court Advocate Harmeet Grover said, “Section 289 of the IPC imposes penal sanctions on dog owners in case of their negligent conduct, however the same does not apply on feeders or stray dog caretakers.”

“Earlier, the SC had issued directives to the local bodies and municipalities for strict implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001,” he added.

Gover said it was held that it was the duty of the Municipal Corporation to provide adequate infrastructure, while maintaining a balance between care for dogs and the human lives. “However, there are contradicting judgments with divergent views of various high courts all over the country relating to the stray dog menace,” Gover said.

The SC is currently deliberating on a case regarding the mitigation of stray dog attacks in the country, scheduling the matter for a final hearing on February 28. Grover also noted that the SC has previously indicated its intention to formulate guidelines after thorough examination of statutes, rules, on-ground implementation and potential solutions to the prevailing issues.

According to the data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Rajya Sabha in December 2023, Delhi saw a 143 per cent rise in the number of dog-bite cases in 2023.

In 2023, the Capital reported a staggering 16,133 cases of dog bites, averaging 44 attacks per day, a significant increase from the 6,634 cases reported in 2022.

Previously, the Capital witnessed 1,07,642 dog-bite cases in 2018, followed by 45,052 in 2019 and 53,450 in 2020. However, the numbers declined to 17,188 in 2021 and further to 6,634 in 2022.

Meanwhile, India bears a heavy burden of rabies deaths, accounting for 35 per cent of all such fatalities worldwide, surpassing any other country. The World Health Organisation (WHO) attributes this alarming statistic to low awareness among people regarding the importance of seeking healthcare after a dog bite, resulting in over 55,000 deaths annually, primarily in Asia and Africa.

The WHO highlights that rabies claims 18,000-20,000 lives in India each year, with children under the age of 15 accounting for 30-60 per cent of reported cases and deaths in the country.