I have come across several instances of infighting between members of housing societies; and between members and the managing committee over pets, especially dogs.
The news about ex Law Minister of Delhi, Somnath Bharti, his wife Lipika, and his pet dog Don make interesting reading.
I will not offer any comments – because firstly, I am not aware of the entire facts; and secondly, the matter is already before the courts.
According to British Law, which we follow to a great extent, if a dog has a propensity to bite, he can be put to sleep (or put to death).
I will illustrate this brilliant concept, and its more brilliant interpretation, by a British Judge.
There was a charge of propensity to bite against a particular dog. The trial magistrate upheld the charge and ordered the dog to be put to sleep.
The owner appealed. The owner came to the court with the dog. The Judge was a lover of pets. He stretched his arm towards the dog and said see what a harmless dog this is.
The dog immediately bit the Judge. His hand started bleeding profusely and he had to be taken to his ante chamber for dressing.
Every one in the Court room was shocked. What greater evidence was needed to prove that the dog had a propensity to bite!
When the Judge returned to the Court room, to every one’s surprise, he said that it was not the dog’s fault, but his fault. He had stretched his hand right into the dog’s mouth. And the dog won the day!
This is a true example of justice at its best.
