In a follow-up to the recent incident where an 11-year-old autistic child was tragically mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in Kannur district, the Supreme Court has taken a significant step in addressing the issue. The court has listed an interlocutory application filed by the district panchayat of Kannur, seeking permission to euthanize suspected rabid dogs and extremely dangerous dogs. The application cites the escalating number of violent attacks by stray dogs, not only in Kannur but also across the state of Kerala.

The Supreme Court vacation bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice MM Sundresh, has acknowledged the seriousness of the matter. Although the counsel representing the district panchayat sought permission to present a video of the stray dogs attacking the child, the bench deemed it unnecessary, having already read the application. The court has set the date of July 12, 2023, to hear the case and has requested a counter affidavit to be filed by July 7.

Highlighting the alarming statistics, the application emphasizes the rise in dog bite incidents, particularly targeting children. It reveals that 5,794 stray dog attacks were reported in 2019, followed by 3,951 cases in 2020, 7,927 cases in 2021, 11,776 cases in 2022, and 6,276 cases reported until June 19, 2023, in Kannur district alone. The panchayat estimates that there are approximately 28,000 stray dogs within its limits.

The interlocutory application has been filed within the context of a civil appeal challenging a 2015 judgment by the Kerala High Court. It is worth noting that last year, the Kerala government also made a similar request to the Supreme Court. Despite the panchayat's efforts to address the issue of stray dogs through local measures, the number of stray dog attacks, bites, and road accidents caused by dog collisions continues to rise, not only in Kannur but also throughout the state.

Moreover, the application highlights the detrimental impact of stray dogs on other animals, reporting incidents where 65 ducks and numerous domestic animals have fallen victim to the violent behavior of these strays.

Consequently, the panchayat has urged the Supreme Court to issue a directive to euthanize "suspected rabid dogs/extremely dangerous dogs in a humane manner." The application has been filed through Advocate-on-Record Biju P Raman.

This latest development demonstrates the court's recognition of the urgency to address the stray dog issue and protect the lives of residents, especially vulnerable individuals, in Kerala. The Supreme Court's decision on July 12 will play a crucial role in determining the course of action to be taken to mitigate the risks posed by dangerous stray dogs in the state.