Stray dog attack on foreigners affects public safety, tourism, country's image: SC
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New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday referred to a media report about a stray dog attack on a foreign national in Bengaluru and said such incidents have not only affected public safety and tourism but also the country's image globally.
A three-judge special bench comprising justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria referred to the incident in which a Welsh entrepreneur was bitten by a stray dog during a morning run.
"This incident underscores that the menace is neither confined to rural or densely populated localities nor limited to vulnerable citizens, but has assumed proportions that affect public safety, tourism, and the image of the country in the global perspective," the bench said.
The top court passed a slew of directions in a suo motu case concerning stray dog menace.
It said after Independence, despite significant advances in public health, India continues to report one of the world's highest statistics of rabies-related mortality.
The bench said recognising the need for a humane yet effective framework, the Centre, in exercise of its powers under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, promulgated the Animal Birth Control Rules.
"However, the implementation of these rules has been ineffective, to say the least, across jurisdictions and the persistence of stray dog population has continued to imperil public safety in many parts of the country," it said.
The bench said educational institutions, particularly schools and colleges with open campuses, have emerged as areas of recurring dog-bite incidents.
It said frequency of such incidents reflects deficiencies in institutional responsibility and municipal oversight concerning the safety of educational environments.
The bench said in hospitals and several tertiary-care centres, patients, attendants and staff have been attacked by packs of dogs residing within hospital compounds.
"Ironically, the very institutions entrusted with the treatment of dog-bite victims, have themselves become susceptible to the menace," it said.
The bench said the continuous inflow of dog-bite victims has strained medical resources, particularly the availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins, which are often in short supply.
It also took cognisance of numerous reported incidents of stray dog attacks at public transport hubs, including bus stands, depots and railway stations across several states.
The court noted that underlying causes of this menace are multifaceted, including uncontrolled reproduction of stray dogs owing to inadequate implementation of sterilisation programmes and improper disposal of food waste in and around public institutions.
"The menace of dog bites, particularly in public and private institutions that serve as spaces of learning, healing and recreation, thus constitutes not merely a public-health challenge but a matter of human safety concern," it said.
The bench said the State and its instrumentalities bear an affirmative obligation to ensure that no citizen, including children, elderly people and patients, are exposed to preventable injury or disease within public premises.
Taking note of the "alarming rise" in dog bite incidents within institutional areas like educational institutions, hospitals and railway stations, the apex court directed the forthwith relocation of stray canines to designated shelters after due sterilisation and vaccination.
It posted the matter for further hearing on January 13.
The apex court is hearing a suo motu case, initiated on July 28 over a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.
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Minister Patil inaugurates Amazon’s Corporate Office in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil on Monday inaugurated Amazon’s newly constructed, fully equipped 11 lakh sq ft corporate office near Yelahanka here.
Built on a five-acre site approximately 15 kilometres from Kempegowda International Airport, Amazon said this is its second largest office in Asia.
The 12-storey campus will support over 7,000 employees across ecommerce, operations, payments, technology, and seller services in India, Amazon said in a statement.
Patil said this is Amazon’s 10th corporate office in the state. The company, which has shared a two-decade association with Karnataka, plans to invest USD 35 billion in India over the next four years.
"This investment is expected to support 15 million small businesses and generate lakhs of employment opportunities. Karnataka will receive a significant share of this investment," the minister said after inaugurating the new office.
The minister pointed out that Karnataka has an annual per capita income of over Rs 3.80 lakh, ranking highest in the country.
According to him, the state also stands second in annual GST contributions to the national exchequer, contributing Rs 1.6 lakh crore. Bengaluru has climbed to the 21st position globally in the Global Innovation Index and is the only Indian city to feature among the top 30 in the Tech-Cities Index.
Last year, the city recorded 14.6 million square feet of industrial leasing, the highest in the country, he said.
Of the 900 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, nearly 35 per cent are located in Karnataka, he added.
In a statement issued by the minister's office, Patil said the state also leads in infrastructure required for e-commerce operations, with warehousing capacity of 42.48 lakh tonne and 233 cold storage units. Correspondingly, e-commerce transactions in the state are growing at 11 per cent annually.
To further promote industrial growth, projects such as dedicated freight rail corridors, multimodal logistics parks, dry ports and truck terminals have been planned. Patil urged Amazon and other global companies to leverage Karnataka’s industry-friendly ecosystem by enhancing their investments in the state, manufacturing here and exporting to global markets.
According to Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India, "India continues to be a long-term priority for Amazon, and Bengaluru has played a central role in our journey here. Over the years, the city has been home to some of our earliest technology and business teams, and today it remains a key hub for innovation and talent."
