In a reprieve to Uttarakhand authorities, the Supreme Court today stayed the Nainital High Court's order asking them to pay compensation ranging from Rs one to two lakhs to persons attacked or bitten by stray dogs, monkeys, apes and cattles within its territorial bounds.
A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu granted interim relief to the Nainital 'Nagar Palika Parishad' which alleged that the High Court's direction was not only "detrimental" to its interest, but also resulted in financial hardship to it.
The High Court had on April 9 said, "We direct that in the case of dog biting, victim of dog biting shall be paid compensation of Rs two lakh, Rs. One lakh by the Municipality and Rs one lakh by the State Government, within a week from the date of dog biting.
"We further direct that in the case of ape and monkey biting, the victim shall also be paid Rs. Two lakh by the State Government."
It had further said that in Nainital, stray cows and bulls are attacking people and the authorities have failed to the cattles the shelter homes.
"Therefore, we direct that in the case of simple injury caused by stray cows or bulls, victim shall be paid the compensation of Rs one lakh (out of which Rs 50,000 shall be paid by the Municipality concerned and Rs 50,000 shall be paid by the State Government) and in the case of serious injury caused by stray cows and bulls, victim shall be paid Rs.Two lakh (out of which Rs.One lakh shall be paid by the State Government)," it had said.
The civic body, in its plea filed in the apex court through advocate Amit Kumar, said, "Provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is applicable for the purpose of preventing the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals. There is no provision in the said Act which casts a duty on any statutory authority to safeguard public from animals which include dog bites...".
