Hyderabad: The Telangana State Human Rights Commission, led by Chairperson Dr Justice Shameem Akther, has initiated suo motu proceedings following multiple reports of fatal stray dog attacks across the state. On Tuesday, the Commission perused several news reports detailing two separate incidents on April 21, which resulted in the deaths of a three-year-old girl and a 36-year-old man.
The Commission observed that these recurring incidents raise grave concerns regarding public safety and the effectiveness of current stray dog control measures managed by local authorities.
According to the factual record, the first incident involved Divya Behra, the three-year-old daughter of migrant labourers from Odisha residing in Sultanabad mandal, Peddapalli district.
The child was reportedly playing near a brick kiln when she was attacked and dragged into nearby agricultural fields by a pack of stray dogs. She succumbed to multiple grievous injuries and bite wounds before medical intervention could be sought.
The Commission noted that the incident has caused widespread panic among the migrant labour community in Katnapalli village, highlighting the particular vulnerability of those residing in temporary settlements.
In a concurrent report from Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, the Commission took note of the death of Ryakam Nagaraju, an electrical substation operator. Nagaraju was fatally attacked by stray dogs near Aleru, further illustrating a pattern of lethal animal encounters within the region.
The Commission remarked that the loss of human life in such a manner, if the reports are verified, constitutes a prima facie violation of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, suggesting potential negligence and inaction on the part of the district administrations and municipal bodies concerned. Formal proceedings have been instituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding these fatalities.
The Commission has directed the District Collectors of Peddapalli and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri to submit detailed reports regarding the facts of the incidents and the subsequent actions taken by the administration.
The matter has been posted for a follow up hearing on June 2 at 11 am, at which time the Commission will review the requested reports to determine further judicial directions.