[CoVID] “Stray Animals Do Not Have Right To Audience”: Madras HC Directs State To Disburse Funds For Feeding Stray Animals

In the midst of the pandemic, the Madras High Court bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy while hearing a petition seeking directions to take necessary steps to ensure provision of food and water to the stray animals in the pandemic has directed the State to disburse funds to the animal husbandry department.

“We should do something in this regard. Those who are really affected do not have a voice. Due to lockdown, there is no rubbish on the streets & they're all strangling. They cannot come to the court. They do not have the right to an audience.”, the Court said. 

The Court while taking note of the report submitted by the Committee in this regard concluded that the problem was of funds and thus directed the state to release funds for the Animal Husbandry Department to the tune of Rs 9,00,000 as demanded by the Department.

The plea which focused on feeding stray animals during the prevailing CoVID 19 pandemic , particularly dogs, was filed by Mothers of Animals Welfare Trust, a public registered trust, claiming to be engaged in the protection and welfare of animals . 

The Court on the last date had observed that, “The COVID -19 pandemic has impacted all sections of society and animals are no exception. In fact, the travails of stray animals, particularly today, remain somewhat understated, often lost in the legitimate attention being given to other critical issues. It is however vital that the needs of the stray animals are addressed in an organised manner to ensure that the least distress and dislocation is caused to them in these trying times.”

While further remarking that, “Our research tells us that there are pockets in several parts of the State where measures are being taken privately by kind and large hearted individuals and associations to ensure that animals within their areas are cared for, we believe that a focused and concerted effort, driven by the State as well as animal welfare organisations would be more impactful. This is the need of the day.”, the Court had constituted a Committee comprising of the following members to put in place and execute all necessary measures to ensure the provision of nutrition and care to stray animals, particularly dogs:

i) Dr.Arunachalam, BVSC., Additional Director (Veterinary Services), Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Nandanam, Chennai.

ii) Mr.Yogeshwaran, Advocate

iii) Dr.S.Chinny Krishna, Chairman Emeritus, Blue Cross of India, Chennai

iv) Mr.Shravan Krishnan, Founder, Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary

The Court thereafter directed the Committee to meet on 21.05.2021 in the forenoon to discuss the same and take forward the project along with submitting the minutes of the meeting and an action plan to the Court.

Case Title: V .E.Shiva v. The Principal Secretary,Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries Department & Ors | WP.No.11990 of 2021