The Delhi High Court has quashed two FIRs lodged by neighbours following a scuffle over handling of their pet dogs, observing that the dispute was โprivate in natureโ and better resolved amicably.
Justice Arun Monga, in his August 20 order, directed both parties to pay โน10,000 each to a canine shelter run by the Unity for Stray Animal Foundation, remarking that the resolution was โfor the love of their pets.โ
The court noted that the altercation had escalated unnecessarily during a routine dog-walk, with both sides accusing each other of assault, intimidation, and misbehaviour. โContinuation of the criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose and would rather amount to an abuse of the process of law,โ Justice Monga observed, adding that quashing the FIRs would help โpromote cordiality and bonhomie between the neighbours.โ
The case arose from a 2024 incident in which the parties filed FIR and cross-FIR versions of the same scuffle. Their counsel later informed the court that the dispute was based on a โserious misunderstandingโ and had been amicably settled through a memorandum of understanding.
Acknowledging the compromise, the court said, โAll of it, remarkably, in the name of their beloved pets. Truly, a case that redefines โfor the love of dogs.โโ
While allowing the plea to quash the FIRs, the court ordered both neighbours to contribute โน10,000 each to the dog shelter, ensuring that the resolution also benefits the welfare of animals.
