HC pulls up civic body after Hyderabad boy mauled to death by dogs

Hyderabad:

The Telangana High Court on Wednesday took up a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the gruesome death of a five-year-old boy who was killed by stray dogs in Hyderabad.

The High Court attributed the boy’s death to “negligence” on the part of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and asked the civic body what steps were being taken to reduce incidents of stray dog ​​attacks. The High Court condoled the death of the five-year-old child and assured that it would look into the matter of compensation for his family.

Notices have been issued by the High Court to the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, GHMC Commissioner, GHMC Deputy Commissioner (Amberpet), GHMC Veterinary Officer, Hyderabad District Collector and Member Secretary of Telangana State Legal Services Authority.

The high court said the next hearing has been fixed for March 16.

Meanwhile, the GHMC held several emergency meetings to work out an action plan.

• Intensification of animal birth control protocols to achieve 100% sterilization of stray dogs.
• Strict action against illegal dumping of raw meat and food waste by meat shops and hotels respectively.
• Drinking water facilities for street dogs as lack of water creates panic and can make them ferocious.
• Mobile App to track pet stores, pets and their owners.
• Targeted strategy for areas with a high population of dogs.

On Sunday, a pack of stray dogs surrounded five-year-old Pradeep and mauled him to death. The incident was captured in the CCTV installed in the car workshop premises in Amberpet area, where the boy’s father worked as a security guard.

In the video, the dogs are seen attacking the boy who was walking alone. Stray dogs were continuously scratching the child, no one was coming to save him. The five-year-old boy, who sustained grievous injuries in the attack, was rushed by his father and others to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

Footage of the attack, which went viral on social media, provoked huge public outcry, with many demanding stricter action to curb the menace of stray dogs.