Supreme Court steps in on alarming dog bite cases in Delhi, takes suo motu cognisance

In response to growing public concern and disturbing media reports on the stray dog menace in the national capital, the Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of a news item highlighting the rising number of dog bite incidents involving children and the elderly, Live Law reported.

The matter was triggered by a front-page article in the Delhi edition of the Times of India, titled "City hounded by strays and kids pay price", which detailed how scores of residents, especially vulnerable children and senior citizens, are becoming victims of unvaccinated stray dog attacks, many of which result in rabies-related deaths.

As per Live Law, a Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan directed the apex court registry to register a writ petition based on the issue. In a brief but strongly-worded order, the court observed:

"Week has started and the first thing we should do is to take suo moto cognizance of a very disturbing and alarming news item reported by Times of India in its today Delhi edition titled 'City hounded by strays and kids pay price'. The news item contains some alarming and disturbing figures and facts. Every day, hundreds of dog bites reported in cities and areas in the outskirts, leading to rabies and ultimately young infants, children and aged are following prey to this dreadful disease."