The Madras High Court on Tuesday has ordered the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the State government to respond to a petition seeking directions to paint the horns of stray cattle with reflective paint, among other measures to reduce accidents.
The bench comprised of Acting Chief Justice T Raja and Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy has ordered notice to the respondents – Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Home Department, Municipal Administration Department, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department; Highways Department and the Tamil Nadu police.
The petition was filed by lawyer Ramkumar Adityan and he claims in his petition that stray cattle on roads have been causing dangerous accidents that have resulted in the injury and death of both humans and cattle.
Adityan further claims that as a result of urbanisation, cattle in rural and semi-urban areas are roaming near National and State Highways. He also mentioned the growing problem of stray dogs and the accidents that result from them.
In an attempt to reduce this menace, Adityan sought directions from all Civic Bodies to relocate stray cattle from the roads to Gaushalas or institutions established to provide shelter to stray cattle in accordance with the Cattle Trespass Act, 1871.
Adityan also requested that the Civic bodies ensure that a tag number is tied around the necks of stray cattle, indicating the name and address of the people to whom they belong. Therefore, when such cattle are discovered on the streets unattended, penal provisions can be initiated against their owners, Adityan added.
Adityan also requested that red reflective neck belts or radium belts be tied around the necks of stray cattle and dogs that roam the National highways so that they are instantly visible, alerting the driver and reducing accidents. He also suggested that the cattle’s horns be painted with red reflective paint. Furthermore, reflective warning boards in both the local language and English may be placed on highways to alert drivers.
Adityan also submitted that the State had a responsibility to care for the cattle. Many states established Gaushalas and Shelter Houses to control stray cattle. Furthermore, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act requires everyone to refrain from causing unnecessary pain and suffering to animals. Even under the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, the civic body is expected to implement dog population control programmes.
He submitted that similar steps should be taken within Tamil Nadu as well, citing examples of NGOs in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh conducting campaigns for stray animals in an attempt to reduce the chances of accidents.
