In yet another incident of stray dogs attacking and killing a child in Delhi, NHRC issues notices to SDMC and DCP, West (09.9.2015)
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 9th September, 2015
Even as the responses to the NHRC's notices seeking the views of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Government of NCT of Delhi on stray dog menace and animal rights vs. human rights are awaited, in yet another incident, stray dogs, reportedly, killed a new born by biting him in Hastsal area of Uttam Nagar in West Delhi on the 21st August, 2015.
Taking suo-motu cognizance of the media report, the Commission has issued notices to the Commissioner, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and Deputy Commissioner of Police, West Delhi calling for reports within two weeks.
The Commissioner, South Delhi Municipal Corporation has also been directed to submit a report on the steps taken for the protection of local residents against the menace of stray dogs.
According to the media report, stray dogs had picked up a new born lying on the road in Hastsal area. Some locals informed the Police Control Room. By the time police reached the spot, the child had already expired. The police took the body for post-mortem and investigations were on.
It may be recalled that earlier, on the 4th August, 2015, a five year old child was attacked to death by stray dogs in Jamia Nagar, Delhi and taking suo-motu cognizance on the 13th August, 2015 of the incident, as reported in the media, the NHRC had observed that "while the measure of sterilization may help contain the increase in the dog population, it does not save or shield people from the bites of existing dogs. It looks like a 'Human Rights' versus 'Animal Rights' battle. This is not a problem of Delhi alone."
The Commission made these observations in the light of media reports raising concerns on the futile efforts by the Municipal Corporations of Delhi to deal with the menace of stray dogs. Raising the pitch for a debate by the civil society on human rights vs. animal rights, the Commission had said that "prima facie, it is of the view that human rights should weigh above animal rights in a situation where human lives are at risk due to attack by animals."
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New Delhi, 9th September, 2015
Even as the responses to the NHRC's notices seeking the views of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Government of NCT of Delhi on stray dog menace and animal rights vs. human rights are awaited, in yet another incident, stray dogs, reportedly, killed a new born by biting him in Hastsal area of Uttam Nagar in West Delhi on the 21st August, 2015.
Taking suo-motu cognizance of the media report, the Commission has issued notices to the Commissioner, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and Deputy Commissioner of Police, West Delhi calling for reports within two weeks.
The Commissioner, South Delhi Municipal Corporation has also been directed to submit a report on the steps taken for the protection of local residents against the menace of stray dogs.
According to the media report, stray dogs had picked up a new born lying on the road in Hastsal area. Some locals informed the Police Control Room. By the time police reached the spot, the child had already expired. The police took the body for post-mortem and investigations were on.
It may be recalled that earlier, on the 4th August, 2015, a five year old child was attacked to death by stray dogs in Jamia Nagar, Delhi and taking suo-motu cognizance on the 13th August, 2015 of the incident, as reported in the media, the NHRC had observed that "while the measure of sterilization may help contain the increase in the dog population, it does not save or shield people from the bites of existing dogs. It looks like a 'Human Rights' versus 'Animal Rights' battle. This is not a problem of Delhi alone."
The Commission made these observations in the light of media reports raising concerns on the futile efforts by the Municipal Corporations of Delhi to deal with the menace of stray dogs. Raising the pitch for a debate by the civil society on human rights vs. animal rights, the Commission had said that "prima facie, it is of the view that human rights should weigh above animal rights in a situation where human lives are at risk due to attack by animals."
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