Acting on the directives of Nagpur High Court, the Commissioner of Police has directed all police stations to survey the population of stray dogs in their jurisdictions
Nagpur: Nagpurians, don’t be surprised if the Nagpur Police are following or keeping an eye on stray dogs in the coming days. The Nagpur police, who keep a watch on criminals, will now have to provide information about the complaints lodged by those who have been bitten by stray dogs in the city and the areas where the menace is taking place, media reports said.
Acting on the directives of Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court, Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar has directed all police stations to survey the population of stray dogs in their jurisdictions. In the order, the Top Cop directed the police personnel to compile a data of complaints received at police stations against stray dogs. The police station staff will also visit the spots where the stray dogs are creating nuisance and count their population, the CP’s order stated.
The police will also share the data with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the monitoring committee so that the citizens would get rid of nuisance creating stray dogs. The city police chief also tasked policemen to check whether complaints from Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) about stray dogs are received or not at police stations.
According to reports, the Top Cop also directed the personnel to prepare a list of dog bite cases reported in each police station in the past three years. As the stray dogs used to gather where they get food, the police staff have been directed by the CP to make a list of such spots. The cops will also keep watch on the spots where NGOs or citizens are offering food to stray dogs, as per the order.
It may be mentioned here that the High Court, while considering the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the stray dog menace in the city, had directed the Commissioner of Police to exercise the powers under Sections 44 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, to bring under control nuisance created by street dogs.
The Division bench of Justice Sunil Shukre and Justice M W Chandwani had also asked the NMC to show enthusiasm and must take the requisite initiative for complying with those directions; and doing so by it, would only lead to substantial reduction or elimination of the nuisance caused by ferocious and aggressive dogs. The bench will hear the matter on December 7.
