The Meghalaya High Court recently heard a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Kaustav Paul, which involved two main issues related to the relocation of the zoo in Shillong and measures to deal with the dog menace.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice I P Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh first addressed the issue of street dogs, taking judicial notice of the fact that their numbers are increasing and posing a threat to public safety.
The court was informed that the Shillong Municipal Board has been taking measures to vaccinate and sterilize the dogs, but lacks a shelter to house them.
The court directed the Municipal Board to take immediate steps to acquire a shelter for the street dogs, with the assistance of the state government.
The Board was also ordered to file an action taken report by February 5, 2025.
Regarding the relocation of the zoo, the court was informed that the zoo had been shifted to a new location about 35 kilometres from Shillong in June 2024.
The new facility includes a veterinary hospital and has accommodated most of the animals from the old zoo, except for a pregnant deer and some birds.
The court expressed satisfaction with the government’s action in relocating the zoo to a more suitable location.
The PIL has been listed for further hearing on February 10, 2025.
The post Meghalaya High Court says stray dog menace in Shillong worrying appeared first on India Legal.