Shillong, Aug 6: The Meghalaya High Court has expressed satisfaction with state government’s action in addressing the menace of stray dogs in the state.
“We are happy to note from a report filed in Court today that substantial action has been taken by the government in relation to the said menace of stray dogs,” stated the court order after hearing a PIL on Wednesday.
Committees under provisions of Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 have been constituted in all the districts, including South Garo Hills and West Jaintia Hills, the order stated.
Citing the government report, the bench comprising chief justice IP Mukerji and justice W Diengdoh said, “It appears from the report and from the submissions of learned Additional Advocate General that awareness camps have been set up by the government, drives to vaccinate stray dogs against rabies, to sterilise and castrate them and keep them in shelters as far as practicable so as to segregate them from the people have been undertaken. The registration of pet dogs is also being carried out.”
The court has been hearing the matter and passing orders to ensure proper implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, it said.
The petitioner, Kaustav Paul, has been allowed to file an affidavit responding to the government’s report by August 25, 2025.
The PIL will be heard again on August 28, 2025, and the court will dispose of the matter based on the government’s report and the petitioner’s affidavit.
