Gujarat High Court slams AAI for plea to 'shoot stray dogs'

The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday lambasted the Airports Authority of India (AAI) over a petition seeking permission to relocate or shoot the stray dogs which enter its operational area posing a threat to the safety of passengers and aircraft during takeoff and landing.

The division bench of Acting Chief Justice AS Dave and Justice Biren Vaishnav not just rejected its plea, but went on to say: "If you are not competent enough to prevent the stray dog menace in your territory, you are not competent to run the operational area. If stray dogs can intrude, anybody can intrude".

The court also clarified that it is not going to give any permission to shoot dogs despite the AAI submitting that the Bombay High Court has given such a permission to AAI. The petitioner had also demanded that it should be allowed to relocate the stray dogs breeding in-and-around the Ahmedabad airport to a place 40-50 km away from it. However, the court denied to provide such a relief and disposed of the petition. The bench instructed AAI to take help of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in controlling the stray dog menace if required.

Notably, the civic body, which is a respondent in the case, had submitted before the court that it was not possible for them to relocate stray dogs to 40-50 km away from the airport. Counsel for AMC cited the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001, enacted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as the reason for its inability to relocate stray dogs.

The civic body had submitted that as per the rules, a dog caught from a particular area for sterilisation has to be released in the same area and cannot be relocated as sought by AAI. The corporation has also contended that there is no point in sending a dog vehicle to the airport on a daily basis. It submitted that its responsibility is confined to sterilisation of the dog and once that is done, there is no point in sending a dog vehicle every day to the airport as demanded by AAI.

Notably, the court had earlier too clarified that it is not inclined to entertain AAI's petition and provide permission to shoot or relocate stray dogs. While AAI had initially moved before a single judge, it failed to secure any relief and thereafter, moved the division bench challenging the single judge's order. It also enumerated the incidents where the flights got delayed due to a stray dog or the aircraft got hit by one during landing or takeoff affecting passenger safety. However, it failed to secure any relief from the division bench as well.

CIVIC BODY’S RESPONSE

The civic body had submitted before the court that it was not possible for them to relocate stray dogs to 40-50 km away from the airport. Counsel for AMC cited the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001, enacted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as the reason for its inability to relocate stray dogs.