Hyderabad: Taking serious note of the rising `canine menace’, Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TSHRC) has initiated suo-motu proceedings after a toddler and a 36-year-old man were mauled to death in separate stray dog attacks.
The Commission, led by Chairperson Dr Justice Shameem Akther, observed on Tuesday that these recurring fatalities constitute a prima facie violation of the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The panel suggested that these incidents point toward potential negligence and inaction by municipal bodies and district administrations.
A Trail of Tragedy
The Commission’s intervention followed reports of two horrific incidents occurring on April 21, 2026:
Peddapalli District: Three-year-old Divya Behra, the daughter of migrant laborers from Odisha, was playing near a brick kiln in Sultanabad Mandal when she was mauled by a pack of stray dogs. The animal dragged the child into nearby agricultural fields. She succumbed to grievous bite wounds before she could receive medical help.
Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District: In a concurrent tragedy near Aleru, Ryakam Nagaraju, an electrical substation operator, was fatally attacked by stray dogs while on duty.
“Grave Concerns” for Public Safety
The TSHRC noted that the death of the young girl has sparked widespread panic, particularly among the migrant labor community in Katnapalli village, who often reside in vulnerable, temporary settlements.
The Commission has questioned the effectiveness of current stray dog control measures and the accountability of local authorities in preventing such lethal encounters.
Action to be taken
To investigate the circumstances of these fatalities and the alleged administrative lapses, the Commission has issued the following directives:
Report Submission: The District Collectors of both Peddapalli and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri have been ordered to submit comprehensive factual reports regarding the incidents.
Administrative Accountability: The reports must detail the specific actions taken by the administration following the attacks and current measures in place to ensure public safety.
Next Hearing: The matter is scheduled for a follow-up hearing on June 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM, where the Commission will review the evidence to determine further judicial directions.