Panaji, Oct 14 The Bombay High Court has warned of contempt proceedings against panchayat secretaries, municipal officials and the Panaji civic chief if they failed to comply with its directions on collecting data on stray dogs, pet dogs and stray cattle across Goa.
In an order passed on October 6, the Goa bench of the High Court noted that the local authorities had failed to comply with several directions issued on September 10.
"Since there is clear remiss on the part of the Panchayat Secretaries/Chief Officers of Municipal Councils/Commissioner of the CCP (Corporation of the City of Panaji) in complying with our directions...we make it clear that if these directions are not complied with or followed by the next date of hearing, we would have no option but to proceed to take contempt proceedings," said the division bench of Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit S Jamsandekar.
The court directed the local bodies to compile ward-wise data on stray dogs, including their gender and sterilisation status, and submit the reports to the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services by October 22. Copies must also be filed before the court by the same date.
The HC also expressed concern over the absence of data on pet dogs, including their numbers, gender and sterilisation status. The local bodies have been directed to submit details of the action taken to promote pet dog sterilisation and create awareness about vaccination, deworming, waste management, responsible feeding and adoption of stray dogs.
The bench further directed the authorities to compile ward-wise data on stray cattle and submit it to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services department.
The bench also reiterated its directions on temporary shelters for stray dogs, observing that the deadline of October 3 for setting up such facilities had not been met.
The court also expressed serious displeasure over the failure of the Chief Officer of Quepem Municipal Council to file an affidavit despite several directions. It directed the officer to file the affidavit within a week, explaining the delay.
Regarding the animal rescue shelter of the CCP at Curca, the state government informed the court that the Town Planner, Tiswadi, had inspected the site and the Town Planning Department's decision would be communicated to the corporation by October 15.
The suo motu proceedings were initiated in compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court in a case concerning the management of stray dogs.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on October 26.
