The Meghalaya High Court on Monday (February 10) directed the Shillong Municipal Board to ensure as far as possible that the construction of dog shelter home is completed within 30 days and the street dogs are provided shelter there.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh, issued the direction while hearing a PIL concerning the relocation of the zoo in Shillong and measures to address the dog menace.

Earlier, in an order dated November 27, 2024, the Court had directed the Shillong Municipal Board to file an action taken report regarding the construction of a shelter for street dogs. In response, the Board filed an affidavit on February 5, stating that the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department of the State government operates a shelter for dogs and that the Municipal Board had approached the department to accommodate the animals captured by them.

However, in response to a letter from the Board dated January 3, 2025, the Director of the Department, in a letter dated January 16, 2025, informed that the responsibility for providing the shelter rested with the Board, not the State. The Director further stated that the existing facility was being used for the animal birth control program.

“…it is very heartening to note that the Municipal Board soon thereafter invited tender for construction of a dog shelter home, has awarded the contract in favour of a party and that construction of the shelter has started which is expected to be completed within the next 30 days,” the Court said.

Consequently, the Court directed the Board to ensure, to the extent possible, that the construction of the shelter is completed within the stipulated time.

“In the meantime, the State through the Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department is directed to verify the authenticity of the Director's statement that shelter for street dogs cannot be provided at the shelter of the department and if it is possible to keep the street dogs there, shall cooperate with the Board so that pending start of operation of the Board's shelter, the street dogs captured by the Board are accommodated in the State's dog shelter,” the Court directed.

It further directed the Municipal Board and the State to file short affidavits to indicate action taken in terms of the present order.

The PIL is listed again on March 12.

Case Title: Kaustav Paul v. State of Meghalaya & Ors.

Case No.: PIL No. 4/2024