Report to be submitted on February 5, 2025
Shillong, Nov 28: Voicing concern over numerous cases of dog bites and deaths caused by rabies in the state, the Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday directed the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to set up a shelter for strays with the assistance of the state government.
It also asked SMB to submit a report on action taken by the board in curbing the increasing number of street dogs thereby becoming a menace to the public.
In its order passed after hearing a PIL, the bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said, “We direct that immediate steps be taken in that direction by the Board with the assistance of the State government and the action taken be embodied in a report to be filed in this Court by 5th February, 2025.”
The counsel for SMB said the municipality had taken measures in vaccinating and sterilizing dogs to curb their population but pointed out that since there is no shelter to keep those dogs, they are released again.
In response, the bench said they appreciate the work being carried out by the Municipal Board but “there is absolute need for the Board to acquire a shelter where these street dogs can be kept.”
Shifting of zoo
Meanwhile, the bench has expressed satisfaction with the action taken by the state government in shifting the present zoo from Shillong.
“We are quite satisfied with the action taken by the government to shift the zoo to a location which is more congenial to animals,” it said.
The counsel for the State in June, 2024 had submitted to the court that the city zoo was shifted to a location which is about 35 kms from Shillong. This facility has amongst other things a veterinary hospital manned by a competent doctor, the counsel had notified the high court.
Nearly all the animals, except a pregnant deer and birds, have been transferred to the new Meghalaya State Zoo.
The birds could not be shifted as the construction of their enclosure is yet to be completed.
