Kochi: Blaming the State Government for not taking measures to curb the stray dog menace, the Kerala High Court has held that state is liable to provide medical care for a man who was paralised after a faulty anti-rabbies injection.
Justice A Muhamed Mustaque issued the directive while allowing a petition filed by V. Lakshmanan of Kannur. Lakshmanan was bit by a dog in 1983. He submitted before the court that he was paralysed below waist after he was administered anti-rabies injection. He also submitted that he had already spent an amount of Rs 12 lakhs for his treatment.
Considering the contention the court observed that the stray dog menace was on account of the lack of measures on the part of the state to regulate the stray dogs.
The petitioner as a citizen, had every right to claim such medical aid from the government when the health is deprived not for any reason attributable to him.
According to the petitioner the legislative intention of Panchayath Raj (Licensing of Pigs and Dogs) Rules 1998 Kerala was to provide a safe atmosphere for the citizens from unexpected nuisances and attacks by the animals. It cast a duty upon the state to provide safe atmosphere for its citizen.
