Tired of stray dog menace, Malad resident files a petition in HC demanding compensation from the BMC and dog lovers
Tired of stray dog menace, Malad resident files a petition in HC demanding compensation from the BMC and dog lovers
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Fed up of stray dogsu00a0 barking in his society and urinating just outside his door over the last three years, a Malad resident has asked the BMC for a compensation of Rs 10 lakh.
Geo George (35) has filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court, where he has held the BMC and seven other parties, including a few dog lovers from the society, responsible. The matter will come up for hearing in the second week of July.
Interestingly, an RTI application filed by Geo, who works in a pharmaceutical company, established that the said strays had a licence, which was issued in the name of a dog lover from the society. In his petition, Geo claims that since January 2006, he hasn't been able to sleep at night due to the dogs. Moreover, they urinate outside his house, and stink up the place. Guests and vendors hesitate from visiting him due to fear of the strays.u00a0u00a0u00a0
"I have been suffering for no fault of mine. I do not want any other law-abiding citizen to go through a similar situation and am determined to fight till the end," said Geo. Surprisingly, both the dogs have gone missing recently and Geo suspects that the dog lovers may hold him responsible for the same and register a false case against him.
Same old story
In October 2007, Geo was arrested by the Malad police under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act after the society members registered a complaint against him. He was bailed out the same day for Rs 1,000. However, the Borivli Metropolitan Magistrate's court acquitted him a year later, as the court found that the prosecution had no evidence against him.u00a0u00a0
Geo's lawyer, advocate Piyush Shah, said, "This is a clear case for damages and unlawful detainment of my client by the Malad police. The subsequent acquittal establishes the innocence of my client."u00a0
Mountain out of a molehill
Committee members of the society support Geo. Anita D'souza, secretary of the society, said, "A few dog lovers from the society are up in arms against committee members and are subjecting us to unwanted harassment."
Edwin D'Souza, chairman of the society, admits that a minor issue has been blown out of proportion. "This case has divided the society among dog lovers and silent spectators. Geo is the odd man out. He is fighting the case single handedly."u00a0u00a0u00a0
Dog menace
52,000 - Dog bites in the city
75,000 - Estimated number of strays in city in 2008
12 - No of deaths due to dog bites in 2008
29,000 - Dogs sterilised in 2008 (till November)
Rs 350 - Amount spent on sterilisation if BMC catches a dog
Rs 450 - Amount spent on sterilization if NGO catches a dog
* Statistics from Dog Control department, BMC, as of November 2008
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