The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to submit a plan for setting up a shelter for stray dogs -- proposal that has been pending since 2021.
During the hearing of a public interest litigation regarding the management of stray dogs in Goa including animal birth control program, the CCP informed the High Court that it had identified a 1,500-sq mtrs site at Curca for setting up the proposed shelter.
However, the CCP submitted that a fresh licence and necessary permissions from the Town and Country Planning Department (TCP) and the Curca Village Panchayat would be required for the project.
Taking note of the submission, the High Court impleaded the Village Panchayat of Curca as a party respondent to the petition.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, another respondent in the matter, submitted that the District Magistrate is the competent authority to take appropriate action regarding the management of stray dogs on highways.
The Ministry submitted to the court that it had already written to the District Magistrates, requesting them to take necessary steps in this regard.
The High Court has posted the matter for further consideration after two weeks.
