'For The Love Of Dogs': Delhi High Court Quashes Cross FIRs Between Pet Owners, Asks Them To Contribute To Dog Shelter

The Delhi High Court has quashed two assault FIRs between neighbours due to disagreement and unsavoury scuffle escalated during a routine dog-walk, after a settlement was arrived between them.

Justice Arun Monga asked the parties to Pay Rs. 10,000 each, “for the love of their pets”, as costs to a dog shelter maintained and run by “Unity for Stray Animal Foundation.”

The counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that there was a serious misunderstanding on the part of their clients that led to lodging of FIR and a cross FIR. However, an MOU was entered between the parties.

In an order passed today, Justice Monga recorded the facts of the case that the FIRs were lodged over handling and supervision of the parties' respective pet dogs.

As per the order, the disagreement during the dog walk led to a heated altercation which further degenerated into an unsavoury scuffle, with each side alleging assault, intimidation, and misbehaviour against the other.

“All of it, remarkably, in the name of their beloved pets.Truly, a case that redefines “for the love of dogs!!”,” the Court said.

Allowing the pleas, the Court said that the dispute between the parties, being essentially private in nature, arose out of unnecessary differences between neighbours in relation to the handling of their respective pets.

“In such circumstances, continuation of the criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose and would rather amount to an abuse of the process of law. Not quashing the criminal proceedings would rather rekindle hostility, whereas quashing the same would promote cordiality and bonhomie between the neighbours,” it said.

Further, the Court deemed it just and appropriate to invoke its inherent powers of quashing of the FIRs to prevent undue hardship to the parties and promote mutual goodwill and societal harmony.

“However, parties to compromise i.e. petitioners in both the petitions, for the love of their pets, shall pay, within one week, a sum of Rs. 10,000/- in each petition, as costs payable to the dog shelter maintained and run by “Unity for Stray Animal Foundation”, Khera Khurd, Near Nahar Wala Pul, Mithishi Milk Point-110082,” the Court ordered.

Title: ANSH JINDAL & ORS v. THE STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR.

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 999

Click here to read order