Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Sep 4: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the authorities to place the 2025 census data on the street dog population in Goa before it by September 8.

The direction was issued while hearing a suo motu writ petition concerning the stray dog issue, along with an application filed by the Goa Animal Federation.

The High Court noted that the Central government had completed its livestock census, which includes data on the street dog population.

The court observed that the data would help assess the street dog population on a taluka-wise basis and facilitate compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court in its suo motu proceedings concerning stray dogs.

The court also clarified that administrative formalities should not delay the submission of the information. It directed that even if the census has not been finalised or the official figures have not yet been made public, the data collected during the census should be obtained and placed before the court.

Canacona Municipal Council and the panchayats of Curca, Bambolim and Talaulim have already submitted their affidavits. Other local authorities are also in the process of filing their responses.

The Valpoi and Sankhali municipal councils assured the court that they would file their affidavits immediately, while the municipal councils of Margao, Mormugao, Ponda and Pernem were granted time until September 8.

The court also considered an application concerning the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP). Following a communication from the Department of Town and Country Planning seeking additional documents, Central Government Standing Counsel Somnath Karpe assured the court that the CCP would address and clear all queries before the next hearing.

The High Court further directed the Town Planner to cooperate in expediting the grant of technical approvals to ensure that the process is not delayed.

Amicus Curiae Terrance Sequeira and other advocates were present during the hearing.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 9.