Stray Dogs, Monkey Menace Causing Hardships To Citizens: Himachal Pradesh High Court Asks Animal Welfare Board To Give 'Practical Suggestions'

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has asked the Animal Welfare Board of India to give practical suggestions to curb the persistent issue of stray dogs and monkey menace in the State.

"These two have been lingering on in the State for long and causing hardships to the citizens of the State," a bench comprising Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel said.

The direction was made in a suo motu PIL registered back in 2011 over monkey menace in Shimla. Court was also hearing a connected petition filed in 2022 concerning the menace posed by stray dogs. The AWB was impleaded in the matter in June this year.

To combat these challenges effectively, the court has initiated collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders. Earlier, it had asked the State to consult with bodies such as Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirumala, Chittoor District, State of Andhra Pradesh, where there has been successful eradication of monkey menace (or bodies having scientific expertise in such matters) and file an appropriate report on the subject. 

State assured the Court that Municipal Corporation of Shimla will also collaborate with Agriculture University in Palampur, which houses a veterinary branch.

The matter will now be taken up on September 18.

Case Title: Court on its own motion.

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