By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 16: The state government has informed the High Court of Meghalaya that it has fully complied with the Court’s orders regarding the management of stray dogs, including measures to control the menace, capture the animals, treat them, including sterilization, and rehabilitate them in dog shelters.
The case, filed as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), sought the Court’s intervention to direct the state to take appropriate steps to address the stray dog issue.
The PIL specifically called for capturing the animals, providing necessary medical treatment, sterilising them, and ensuring their proper rehabilitation in shelters.
Initially, the scope of the writ was limited to areas under the jurisdiction of the Shillong Municipal Board.
However, through an order dated May 15, 2025, the Court extended the directive to cover the entire state of Meghalaya.
In this order, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh directed the state to implement measures under the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, framed under Section 38(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Additional Advocate General Yangi submitted a compliance report dated July 15, 2025, in the form of an affidavit affirmed by the Secretary of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Government of Meghalaya.
She stated that there has been full compliance with the Court’s directions. The Court took the report on record.
The Advocate for the petitioner requested time to peruse the report, and the Court granted this request.
