Delhi High Court Calls For Action Plan On Stray Animal Threats Affecting People With Disabilities
Delhi High Court Calls For Action Plan On Stray Animal Threats Affecting People With Disabilities
The Delhi High Court has directed city authorities and government departments to meet on November 4 to address the challenges posed by stray animals, especially for people with disabilities (PwDs). The meeting, involving civic bodies like the NDMC, MCD, and various government departments, will focus on safety measures in sensitive areas such as hospitals, parks, and court complexes.
The order follows a public interest litigation filed by the Dhananjay Sanjogta Foundation, which highlighted difficulties faced by PwDs due to stray animal attacks. Rahul Bajaj, a visually impaired advocate and director of the foundation, noted that visually impaired individuals, in particular, are vulnerable, as they cannot always detect or react to threats. He also expressed concerns that visually impaired people using white canes may be mistaken as a threat by stray animals, increasing the risk of attacks.
The petition further urged the development of guidelines that allow PwDs to use service and therapy animals safely. Chief Justice Manmohan emphasized that the presence of stray animals in high-traffic areas, like hospitals and parks, poses a significant public safety risk, particularly for vulnerable groups like PwDs.
