Dog lovers fear man-bite,move High Court for protection

Justice Rajiv Shakdher,who heard the case,asked the Delhi government’s counsel Meera Bhatia to file a response immediately on the security provided to animal welfare activists in the city.

One of the petitioners,Jasmine Damkewala from Freedom Fighter Enclave in Saket,complained of “repeated and continuous intimidation,abuse and threats,physical assault by residents of the locality with an intention to desist and obstruct her from tending to community dogs”.

She blamed the local police of “apathy” in not investigating her complaints about “imminent assault”. The 33-year-old Damkewala also flaunted a Delhi High Court order issued on August 4,2009,which directed the police to “protect” her while she cared for community dogs in her colony. She termed her actions as “legal,constitutional,humane and compassionate”.

Another animal welfare organisation,Friendicose-Seca,has also approached the court against people who try to stop them from caring for strays. Its vice president Geeta Sheshamani has faced opposition from her neighbours in Defence Colony.

The petitioners sought the court’s intervention so that the state government would protect their “life and limb”.

Dog lovers have said that neither the police nor the attackers know of a law,called the Stray Animal Control Rules (Dogs),2001,meant to protect street dogs from cruelty.

A judgment on September 27,2002 by a Bench led by the then Chief Justice of the High Court had also advised the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council to adopt a “scientific attitude” in dealing with dogs.

Meera Bhatia said: “The Bench had then said it was the court’s ‘dilemma’ to strike a balance between ensuring respect for canines and taking care (so) that dogs do not endanger human lives.”

The seven petitions were filed by dog carers from Defence Colony,Vasant Kunj,Saket,Mehrauli,Geeta Colony,Kalkaji and Kamla Nagar.