Orissa High Court orders relocation of stray dogs from NLU Odisha campus after student with cerebral palsy was attacked 15 times

The Orissa High Court on Monday directed the Cuttack Municipal Corporation to relocate all the stray dogs from the campus of National Law University of Odisha within 24 hours. [The National Law University of Odisha vs. Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack].A division bench of Chief Justice S Talapatra and Justice Savitri Ratho asked the municipal body's commissioner to engage a squad under supervision of the Health Officer for the purpose and also sought a compliance report by August 30.The Court passed the order on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by NLU Odisha seeking relocation of the stray dogs from its campus, alleging that they were a threat to life of a first year student, who suffers from cerebral palsy and 65% disability..The University said that in the last one month, the student was chased by stray dogs 15 times and bitten seven times, leading to acute anxiety and unstable blood pressure. Each time he had to take anti-Rabies injection, the bench was informed.NLU Odisha further told the court that the dogs are “not original habitants” of the campus and enter from the nearby locations like Brajabiharipur and Naraj. Unless those are relocated to their original habitat, normalcy will not return to the campus, the varsity said..It was argued that due to the ongoing mating season of dogs, the campus dogs have become even more aggressive. The University placed reliance on the guidelines issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India to argue that relocation of dogs to their original habitat is not prohibited. Cuttack Municipal Corporation told the Court that it has a squad to pick up the stray dogs from the streets and other places and relocate them to places where they can find comfort and food-security..The Court noted that 15-20 stray dogs were involved in attacks on the student and also security personnel who had to rushed to rescue the student.“Both the counsel are on consensus that immediate action for relocation of the dogs is to be carried out to bring back normalcy in the University campus,” it said while allowing the NLU Odisha’s petition..Senior Counsel PK Rath along with advocate S Das represented National Law University of Odisha.Senior Counsel Pradipta Kumar Mohanty and advocate Pranay Mohanty appeared for Cuttak Municipal Corporation..[Read Order]