Kerala Proposes District Committees for Dog Bite Compensation, HC Demands Stray Dog Data and Action Plan

Kerala: The Kerala government has proposed the formation of district-level committees to handle compensation claims related to dog bite incidents. The move comes in response to a batch of petitions before the High Court seeking intervention in the state’s growing stray dog crisis.

The proposal was submitted after the Supreme Court, in 2024, ordered the disbandment of the Justice Siri Jagan Committee, which previously handled such claims. Under the new framework, each district committee would include the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) secretary, the District Medical Officer (DMO), and the Joint Director of the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD).

The bench of Justice C S Dias accepted the government's suggestion but issued several key directives. The state was asked to file a counter-affidavit detailing the estimated stray dog population in Kerala, verified statistics on dog bite incidents and fatalities, the number of functioning Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs), and the extent of compliance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023

The High Court also raised the possibility of bringing dog bite incidents under the scope of the State Disaster Management Act, akin to how wild animal attacks are currently treated, at least for the purpose of awarding compensation.

Taking a step further, the court impleaded the State Police Chief to provide information on the number of FIRs registered in connection with dog bite cases. It also noted that when an animal attacks a person, the custodian is held liable; in the case of strays, the relevant LSGD secretary would be treated as that custodian.

The court observed that, according to media reports, Kerala had recorded over one lakh dog bite cases and 16 deaths in the past six months alone, with the stray dog population estimated at around 50 lakh. However, the Additional Advocate General challenged those numbers, suggesting the actual population might be closer to two or three lakh. The matter has been adjourned to August 11.

During the hearing, the court addressed questions regarding the implementation of euthanasia provisions under the ABC Rules, 2023. When one counsel raised concerns, the bench responded sharply: "Have you been bitten by a dog? ...Last month, a child from Kannur died of rabies despite being vaccinated. Only when you are bitten do you truly understand the pain and the suffering. It is very easy to stand outside and say these things…"

The court clarified that while coexistence between humans and animals is ideal, a practical and enforceable solution is now necessary. It further emphasized that “human rights override animal rights.”

The High Court also took note of the Supreme Court’s recent suo motu action on the issue, triggered by a Times of India report on the death of a child in Delhi following a rabid dog bite, signaling a coordinated judicial reckoning across multiple states.