NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Delhi Police to investigate the “nature” of pets kept by residents in Dhobi Ghat area of Tuqhlaq Lane area where a one-and-a half-year-old girl was allegedly mauled to death by a pack of dogs last month. Justice Subramonium Prasad asked the cops to file a status report before March 19 giving the details.

The court was hearing a petition by the infant’s father seeking a Rs 50 lakh compensation for the death of the child.

“Police are directed to investigate regarding the nature of pets that are kept in the area. It is also stated that there was a pitbull in the area. Investigate this. Status report be filed by Tuesday,” the court said.

During the hearing, the court also asked the police to find out if there was any pet dog in the nearby houses where the incident took place. The court said it was seeking the information just to rule out the apprehension of a ferocious dog kept in a nearby house which could have attacked the child.

“What is troubling me is that if you look at our houses, all of us normally have guards in front of our house, not in the back. If a child was attacked, the question is, in day time it did not attract anybody’s attention. This is a factor which is in my mind,’ the judge said.

The high court had earlier issued notice to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) the city government, and the police and sought a status report from them with regard to the steps taken to ensure that such incidents do not take place again.

The toddler was sitting outside her home when four to five dogs were claimed to have attacked her, dragged her for several metres and left her mauled.

The counsel for the petitioner had said in the instant case, dogs were being fed in a children’s park, putting children at risk. He also prayed for directions to the authorities to take immediate steps to shift the dogs elsewhere.

‘Menace of strays’

The high court had earlier said people feedings stray dogs had made them “too territorial” and they attack anybody. They are becoming a menace for the pedestrians, the court had said, adding that feeding strays may be good but it was taking away their capacity to go and find their own food.