SHILLONG: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) would now activate a Committee which would look into the menace of stray dogs in the State capital.
Replying to a question raised by Nongthymmai MLA Jemino Mawthoh in the Assembly on Friday, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh asserted that the menace of stray dogs in Shillong was a major concern.
Stating that the Municipal Board was well aware of the problems posed by stray dogs, the Minister added that the proposed Committee would look into the problem and suggest ways to address it.
She also informed that a Committee was set up to look into the issue of stray dogs in the city, but the Government didn’t receive much support from the members of the public as well as animal lovers as no one came forward to give their views and suggestions.
She, however, said that the Board has received several complaints from the members of the public in recent days about the threat posed by stray dogs.
“In the absence of sufficient funds the Board has not been able to take action in this regard,” she said.
Lyngdoh further informed the House that within the Shillong Municipal area, dog owners are required to register their dogs with the Shillong Municipal Board and dog tags are then issued.
It may be mentioned that the management of stray dogs is done strictly as per the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and connected rules.
According to Lyngdoh, sterilization of stray dogs was being taken up with the help of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry department even as she rubbished reports that stray dogs were being caught and released at the Marten dumping ground in the city suburbs.
Pointing out that once funds are available a dog shelter would be set up so that stray dogs which are caught could be released in this shelter, she however rued that as of now there was a small facility where stray dogs were being kept.
Earlier, Mawthoh who raised the question said that stray dogs have become a threat and several people have been killed due to dog bites. He urged the Municipal board to take urgent steps to curb this menace.
