Panaji: The Bombay High Court has warned of contempt proceedings against panchayat secretaries, municipal chief officers and the Commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) if they fail to comply with its directions to collect data on stray dogs, pet dogs and stray cattle across Goa.
A division bench of Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit S Jamsandekar, in an order passed on October 6 in a suo motu writ petition, noted that local authorities had failed to comply with several directions issued earlier on September 10.
The court made it clear that contempt proceedings would be initiated against the officials responsible if the directions were not complied with by the next date of hearing.
“Since there is clear remiss on the part of the Panchayat Secretaries/Chief Officers of Municipal Councils/Commissioner of the CCP in complying with our directions recorded in our order dated September 10, 2026, and we have reiterated these directions in this order, 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 against each of them who have indulged in refusal to comply with the direction or remiss with their duties,” the Bench ruled.
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 of the compilations must also be filed before the court by the same date.
The court noted that the required data had not been submitted by the panchayat secretaries, municipal chief officers or the CCP commissioner.
It 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 steps taken to promote pet dog sterilisation and create awareness about vaccination, immunisation, deworming, waste management, responsible feeding and the adoption of stray dogs.
The Bench further directed the authorities to compile ward-wise data on stray cattle and submit it to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, noting that no action had been reported on this aspect.
The Bench also reiterated its directions on establishing temporary shelters for stray dogs, observing that the October 3 deadline for setting up such facilities had not been met. Municipalities had earlier been directed to identify existing shelters or earmark suitable areas for new ones and establish temporary facilities pending the setting up of permanent shelters.
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 CCP’s animal rescue shelter at Curca, the state government informed the court that the Town Planner, Tiswadi, had inspected the site and that the Town Planning Department’s decision would be communicated to the corporation by October 15.
The court also directed all municipalities and the CCP to place on record public notices about the survey to collect data on stray dogs, pet dogs and stray cattle near highways and roads. Local bodies that had not issued such notices were directed to do so within a week.
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.
