NT Reporter | Panaji
The Department of Urban Development has instructed all urban local bodies (ULBs) to comply with Supreme Court (SC) orders on controlling stray cattle, stray dogs and stray animals. The directive, issued recently, states that the state must submit a detailed status-cum-compliance affidavit to the apex court by the next hearing.
ULBs have been directed to coordinate with the Road and Transport Department, Public Works Department and the NHAI to remove all stray cattle and animals from State Highways, National Highways and Expressways.
The instructions include identifying stretches where stray animals frequently appear and conducting joint removal drives; relocating animals to shelters or gaushalas with proper food, water and veterinary care; ensuring continuous highway surveillance through patrol teams; and holding officials responsible personally accountable for repeated lapses.
ULBs must submit detailed data by December 1, including the mechanism for removal and sheltering of stray animals, functioning of patrol teams, helpline operations and installation of signboards.
In the case of stray dogs in schools, hospitals, sports complexes and transport hubs, ULBs have been directed to identify all such institutions and ensure these areas are protected by fencing, walls or gates, preferably by
December 1.
“Each institution must appoint a Nodal Officer responsible for cleanliness and preventing dog entry. Three-month inspections must be conducted to ensure no stray dog habitats exist. Any stray dog found on such premises must be removed immediately, sterilised, vaccinated and shifted to a designated shelter, without being released back to the same location,” the directive states.
ULBs have also been told to assist railway and Kadamba Transport authorities in securing their premises and implementing waste-management systems. Compliance data must be submitted by December 1, including steps taken to secure institutional premises, monitoring mechanisms and the availability of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin in government facilities.
The letter further instructs ULBs to coordinate with central government institutions and hospitals on the same requirements.
