Karnataka High Court expresses concern over feeding stray dogs at prominent areas
Says sympathy to animals good, but not at expense of public safety
Bangaluru: The Karnataka High Court, led by Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit, voiced their disapproval regarding caregivers feeding stray dogs next to the gate of Vidhana Soudha, a significant area in Bangalore.
The court considered a lawyer's plea, urging the proper implementation of Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules. During the hearing, the bench expressed concerns about the practice, emphasizing the need for designated feeding spots to avoid creating chaos.
“Some areas which are important areas, including for safety reasons, certain citizens enter in this area...vehicle owners come next to the gate of Vidhana Soudha in vehicles with barrels, vessels full of some material. I don’t mind showing some sympathy to animals but not at the cost of chaos created...just next to the gate of Vidhana Soudha every morning at 6.45 some people came in vehicle may be some good people with good intention, but they bring some food material in the vehicle and feed to the dogs and birds and what not, everyday feature. Is it not health hazardous? Not causing disturbance?" the Bench observed
The Chief Justice highlighted that while the intention of providing food to stray dogs is commendable, feeding them near prominent areas could inconvenience passersby and residents. He referenced guidelines issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India in March 2021, urging caregivers to identify specific feeding spots for stray animals. The court also cited a 2015 guideline that suggested those feeding street dogs should actively participate in their sterilization and vaccination.
“The common experience is that except feeding of street dogs there is no incident being reported by corporation or public body that the citizens who feed stray dogs are coming forward to assist and help the corporation or public bodies in the exercise of sterilisation or vaccination of stray dogs,” the CJ said.
The court raised concerns about the State government's lack of response in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed over a year ago. Despite seeking a final chance to reply in January, the government had not filed any response by the hearing date. The court expressed disappointment over the government's non-responsive approach and demanded a comprehensive reply, including remedial measures, within three weeks.
The court adjourned the hearing to November 15, warning that no further adjournments would be granted. It emphasized that if the government failed to file a reply, appropriate orders would be passed against the state authorities. The court stressed the importance of timely responses and instructed the government to ensure its law officers are promptly informed to avoid further delays.
The issue pertains not only to the feeding of stray dogs near Vidhana Soudha but also to other public areas, including Cubbon Park. The court highlighted the potential risks associated with feeding stray dogs in locations frequently used by schoolchildren, emphasizing the duty of citizens to ensure their activities do not pose threats to fellow citizens' safety and well-being.
"In morning hours, the internal road is used by school going children either for attending school or classes. Feeding stray dogs on undedicated locations would certainly cause some apprehension in the mind of school going children and the possibility of some stray dog rushing to school going children, cannot be ruled out...duty is cast upon such citizens to ensure that activity shall not cause hindrance or health hazard to his fellow citizens,” the Court observed.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
