This is a welcome step, with the Supreme Court directing the Centre & state governments to develop a mechanism for the payment of compensation on account of accidents caused by stray animals on the roads. Poor cattle and stray dogs have no intelligence, and they think the whole place is their grazing land. But the owners do have the power of thinking, and they should rightly be held responsible for letting these animals go astray.
We are aware of unsuspecting drivers suddenly being faced with stray cattle right in front of their vehicles. Even passers-by get attacked by strays. It is appropriate, therefore, that owners of cattle and those who feed strays should take complete responsibility for them. Let both man and animal live in harmony.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
