KAUSTAV PAUL Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Note: For proper public information and transparency, any media reporting this judgment is directed to mention the composition of the bench by name of judges, while reporting this judgment/order.

(2.) This public interest litigation (PIL) invites this court to pass orders directing the state to take appropriate measures to control the menace caused by stray dogs, to capture them, treat them which would include sterilising them and rehabilitating them in dog shelters.

(3.) From time to time, we have passed orders to contain this menace. The scope and effect of our orders up to now had been confined to the Shillong district. The Shillong Municipal Board did not have adequate facility to keep these stray animals. Under our order, the state provided shelter to accommodate these animals for a limited period. Now, it seems that the Shillong Municipal Board has been able to set up some kind of an animal shelter but it cannot house all stray dogs of the district. Pursuant to orders passed by this court, meetings were held between the Municipal authority and the state, as a result of which, the state has extended the accommodation of these dogs in its shelter. The Municipal Board says it is proceeding with the acquisition of land for the purpose of building a further permanent shelter after which the animals in the state shelter would be shifted to the Municipal Board accommodation.