The Court emphasizes the duty of local authorities to ensure public safety in light of increasing incidents of stray dog attacks.

ORDER

1. It is the first day of the week and the first thing that we should do is to take suo-moto cognizance of a very disturbing and alarming Newspaper cutting reported by the `Times of India’ in its today’s Delhi edition titled “City Hounded By Strays, Kids Pay Price”.

2. The Newspaper cutting contains some alarming and disturbing figures and facts.

3. Everyday, hundreds of dog bites are being reported in the city and the areas on the outskirts, leading to rabies and ultimately young infants, children and aged are falling prey to this dreadful disease.

4. The Newspaper cutting is attached herewith.

5. We are shocked to know that on an average 20,000 cases of dog bites are recorded in the country and out of which 2000 incidents happen in Delhi every day.

6. We are informed that the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has announced a Scheme for rehabilitation of stray dogs. We do not want to say anything in this regard. What we want is that the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi should ensure safety of young children and aged citizens at any cost.

7. As per the Newspaper report amidst the rising threat of stray dog in the national capital, a 6 year old girl by name Chavi Sharma fell prey to multiple dog bites leaving deep wounds on her left leg, arm and palm. Although the inhabitants of the locality complained for several times to the authorities concerned, yet none paid heed to the complaints of the people residing in the said locality. There are hundreds of such cases which have been reported.

8. A four year old boy Abhishek Rai was attacked by a pack of stray dogs on 23-7-2025 in Delhi’s Alipur area of Narela when the child was returning from his Anganwadi School. The dogs pounced at his face repeatedly injuring him until few bystanders rushed to his rescue. Parents are now wary in letting their children go out to play.

9. We take suo-moto cognizance of this Newspaper Report.

10. The Registry shall register this petition and number the same as suo-moto petition in public interest.

11. Issue notice to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi respectively returnable on 11-08-2025.

12. Let this order be placed along with the attached Newspaper cutting before the Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India for appropriate orders.

13. We appoint Mr. Gaurav Agarwal, the learned counsel to act as Amicus and assist this Court on this burning issue.

14. Post this matter for further hearing before this Court, subject to the orders that may be passed by the Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India.