HC Stays Police Order Seeking a Dog’s Custody

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday stayed a police order to take custody of a pet dog ‘Zorro’ on charges of causing injuries to the owner of another pet dog, which they met during a night-walk at the Alpine Heights in Somajiguda.

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy stopped GHMC authorities from taking the custody of Zorro and stayed all further criminal proceedings against Zorro, a case against which was registered in the Panjagutta Police station.

Justice Reddy, however, observed that the owners of the pet animals, especially dogs, must be careful to ensure that they are not creating any nuisance for others, and if required, the owners must think of sending them for training.

The judge was dealing with a petition filed by Dr Lokdeep Sharma from Somajiguda, who approached the High Court requesting a stay on the Panjagutta police’s order dated June 19, which asked GHMC Veterinary section to take custody of Zorro, as it was considered to be a ferocious dog, which posed danger to the community.

The police issued these orders in the backdrop of that on the intervening night of June 13 and 14, Sharma`s Zorro dog caused injuries to the one of the residents of the same Apartment, who also came with her pet dog for night walk.