HC decides to request SC to retain PIL related to stray dogs
We have been specifically told that quite a number of stray street dogs are biter dogs and very vicious in nature. -Meghalaya High Court
Shillong, Aug 31: The Meghalaya High Court has stated that the issue of stray dogs is “distinct” in the state and urged the Supreme Court to allow it to retain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in this regard.
The court’s decision comes after the Supreme Court directed the transfer of similar PILs from various High Courts to itself for consideration.
“Although many issues may be common between petitions concerning stray dogs in other High Courts and in the Supreme Court, we feel that it is our duty to point out that in this State there is peculiarly distinctiveness in the menace pose by stray dogs,” stated the division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh in its order passed on Saturday.
“We have been specifically told that quite a number of stray street dogs are biter dogs and very vicious in nature. In roads, streets and other public places, they attack persons suddenly and at times causing grave injury,” the court said.
Stating that keeping such dogs in shelters is among the measures sought by the court, it said, “Having heard those submissions in this public interest litigation, we had, inter alia, directed those dogs to be taken hold of by the public authorities, inoculated, vaccinated medically attended to and then kept in shelters for observation before setting them free.”
The court also sounded caution of setting free such dogs, stating “With dogs of this nature, freeing them without satisfaction that they have ceased to be biter dogs, and allowing them to frequent public places would pose grave danger to the public.”
The court directed the Registrar General to make a formal application before the Supreme Court and seek appropriate directions with regard to retention of the PIL in the high court.
“We strongly recommend that a public interest litigation of this character and nature be retained in this Court because of its peculiar and distinctive feature,” it stated.
The PIL will be listed on 15 October 2025 to receive a report from the Registrar General on the outcome of the application filed before the Supreme Court.
