NHRC seeks report on stray dogs in Delhi

The NHRC on Friday said it has issued notice to the health ministry and the Delhi government seeking their views on ways to curb the menace of stray dogs in the capital.

Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports that on Aug 4 a five-year-old died after being attacked by stray dogs, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said that human rights should weigh above animal rights in a situation where human lives were at risk from animals.

"However, this calls for a debate by the civil society," the NHRC said, adding that the health ministry and the Delhi government have been given four weeks' time to respond.

The commission also took notice of another media report that exposed the futile efforts made by the municipal corporations of Delhi to deal with stray dogs.

"While sterilization may help contain the increase in dog population, it does not save or shield people from the bites of existing dogs. It looks like a human rights versus animal rights battle," it said.