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Bombay HC: No Wrongful Restraint in Dog Feeding Row
23 Dec
Summary
- High Court cancelled an FIR against a Pune resident for opposing street dog feeding.
- The court cited concerns over children's safety near a society's entrance.
- A four-month delay in FIR registration and prior complaint were key factors.
The Bombay High Court has overturned an FIR lodged against a Pune resident for opposing the feeding of street dogs at his society's entrance, deeming the complaint an abuse of legal processes. The court acknowledged that residents of gated communities may reasonably object to such activities, especially near school bus pick-up zones.
An FIR was registered on January 24, 2025, following a complaint alleging the resident, Ayyappan, opposed street dog feeding. The complainant claimed Ayyappan attempted to snatch her phone and prevented her from leaving. However, the defense argued that frequent dog bites and feeding near school hours posed safety risks to children.
The High Court noted a significant four-month delay in FIR registration and a prior complaint filed by Ayyappan detailing harassment. The bench concluded that obstructing dog feeding in non-designated areas for safety reasons does not constitute 'wrongful restraint,' thus cancelling the FIR to prevent misuse of the justice system.
