Meghalaya High Court: In a PIL filed regarding the growing menace of stray dogs and relocation of Shillong Zoo, the division bench of I.P. Mukherji, CJ., and W. Diengdoh, J., held that the action of the State to shift the animals to a more suitable location is satisfactory and directed the State to file an action taken report on acquiring dog shelters for vaccinated and sterilized stray dogs by February of next year.
The Court was dealing with two issues, which are as follows:
1. Relocation of the zoo in Shillong
The Court was informed by the State that in June 2024, the present zoo in Shillong was shifted to the new Meghalaya State Zoo about 35 km away from Shillong. This facility has, amongst other things, a veterinary hospital manned by a competent doctor. Nearly all the animals from the present zoo except a pregnant deer and birds have been transferred to the new location. The birds could not be shifted as they had to be accommodated in a cage-type enclosure, the construction of which has not been completed till now. On being informed the aforesaid, the Court held that the action taken by the government to shift the zoo to a location which is more congenial to animals is satisfactory.
2. Measures to deal with dog menace
The Court took judicial notice of the fact that street dogs are increasing in number and pose a menace to the public, as well as the fact that the cases of dog bites and deaths caused by rabies are sizeable in number.
The Court was informed that the Shillong Municipal Board (‘the Board’) had taken measures to vaccinate those dogs against rabies and sterilize them. However, since there is no shelter to keep those dogs, they are released on the road again. The Court held that there is an absolute need for the Board to acquire a shelter where these street dogs can be kept. The Court directed immediate steps to be taken accordingly by the Board with the assistance of the State Government and thereafter an action taken report be filed in this Court by 05-02-2025.
This PIL is next listed on 10-02-2025.
[Kaustav Paul v. State of Meghalaya, 2024 SCC OnLine Megh 1018, decided on 27-11-2024]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For the petitioner: Mr. S. Thapa
For the Respondent: Mrs. T. Yangi B., AAG, Mr. E.R. Chyne, Government Advocate, Mr. Philemon Nongbri
Can this high court order be used to ask the municipal staff to build shelter home’s for dog’s & relocation possible
The decision to put stray dogs in pounds stems from human greed and negligence, not the fault of the animals. Unethical breeding, irresponsible pet ownership, and poorly implemented sterilization programs have led to the rise in stray populations. Urbanization, driven by profit, has also displaced animals, forcing them into human spaces. Instead of penalizing these innocent creatures, we should focus on sustainable solutions like large-scale spay-and-neuter campaigns, strict regulation of breeding, and public awareness about responsible pet ownership. Stray animals are victims of a system we created, and only compassion and accountability can address this crisis.
Really Shameful at this And I would say they are calling the most loyal faithful friends of Humans a Menace As they want to kill them all and take them to their Dinning Tables..Remember their cries Pains will finish you all Humans…Humans are a Menace not the Voiceless Animals.
I think it’s time humans blame their own wickedness, incapacity to co-exist , lack of compassion for other species that have made humans the real menaces. It would be good if the Govt & the Courts focused on human generated problems that is making the North East States very unsafe. Sort that out first before you meddle with other species & label them as menaces when humans are the real menaces.
Did you type that comment while nibbling on a chicken lollipop?