The state government officials have been directed by the Meghalaya High Court to provide shelter houses for Shillong’s homeless canines. This was in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that was filed to address the city’s escalating stray dog problems, including regular dog attacks and public safety concerns. Shillong’s street dogs have not been the subject of an official census, but the PIL was filed in response to the growing number of dog attacks and the lack of adequate facilities for managing the stray population.
Despite the Shillong Municipal Board’s attempts, a division bench led by Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh noted that nothing changed. The efforts have not been enough to eradicate the problem. One of the primary causes of the issue, according to the board, is the absence of a designated shelter house. The state administration called a conference on February 12 to address the problem and decided to temporarily allow the Shillong Municipal Board to use an Upper Shillong animal shelter.
The High Court has ordered the state and Shillong Municipal Board to meet again to discuss long-term measures for a permanent shelter home, including land identification and acquisition. The temporary shelter at Upper Shillong should be upgraded to house additional dogs until a permanent center is established. The state government and Shillong Municipal Board are also asked to file a common progress report before the next hearing.