Rising incidents of dog bite: Supreme Court appoints committee to be headed by Justice Sirijagan in Kerala

Last month Supreme Court while hearing to a petition filed by a Kerala-based man Joe Sebastian, the top court agreed to consider whether a dog-bite victim is entitled to monetary compensation from the government.

Written by: India.com News Desk

Published: April 5, 2016, 4:26 PM IST

Share

Share Article

• Facebook
• WhatsApp
• X
• Email
• Telegram
• Linkedin

https://www.india.com/news/india/rising-incidents-of-dog-bite-supreme-court-appoints-committee-to-be-headed-by-justice-sirijagan-in-kerala-1083989/ Copy

New Delhi, April 5: The Supreme Court on Tuesday has constituted a committee to probe the rising incidents of dog bite in Kerala. The committee which is headed by retired High Court Judge Sirijagan are ordered to submit a report on the rising incidents of dogs bite in Kerala.

The committee will entertain complaints of dog bites, treatment administered to victims and cases of unfortunate deaths. The SC appointed committee is ordered to file a detail report within 12 weeks.

Last month Supreme Court while hearing to a petition filed by a Kerala-based man Joe Sebastian, the top court agreed to consider whether a dog-bite victim is entitled to monetary compensation from the government. Read Also: (Supreme Court seeks reports from states for vaccination of stray dogs)

Sebastain’s wife, a MNREGA worker, was killed after she was bit by a stray dog. In law there are no provisions or compensation given to the victims who die after they are bit by a dog.

After listening to the PIL a bench headed by judge Dipak Misra at Apex Court asked, “Which forum should the victim go to seek compensation in dog bite cases, especially in case of death”. The SC also asked the committee to lay down the criteria for grant of such compensation and the authority to look into such claims should be fixed.

The petitioner complained that there was no department to look into the grievances of a dog bite victim and argued it’s states responsibility to look after its citizens.

Sebastian who is been fighting the case since last couple of years was offered compensation by Kerala state counsel. He can also move towards the human rights commission for monetary claim, the advocate claim.

SC had directed civic bodies across the country on March 9 to take steps to sterlise and vaccinate nuisance-causing stray dogs under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act.