Travails Of Stray Animals Understated Amid Pandemic: Madras High Court Sets Up Committee To Plan For Care & Nutrition Of Stray Animals

While directing the constitution of the Committee, Justice Dr Anita Sumanth, speaking for herself and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy stressed that it was vital to ensure that the needs of stray animals were addressed in an organised manner.

"The COVID -19 pandemic has impacted all sections of society and animals are no exception. In fact, the travails of stray animals, particularly today, remains 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 that the least distress and dislocation is caused to them in these trying times," the Bench said.

Tasking the Committee with putting in place and executing measures for the provision of nutrition and care to stray animals, these members were directed to form the Committee –

• Dr. Arunachalam, Additional Director (Veterinary Services), Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Nandanam, Chennai.
• Advocate Yogeshwaran
• Dr. S. Chinny Krishna, Chairman Emeritus, Blue Cross of India,Chennai
• Shravan Krishnan, Founder, Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by Founder of Mothers of Animals Welfare Trust, VE Shiva who was represented by Advocate AM Natraj. The petition focussed on the feeding of stray animals, particularly dogs, during the COVID-19 surge.

Government Advocate R. Neelakandan who represented the Animal Husbandry Department, also made suggestions on possible measures that could be put in place to address the issue.

Additionally, Advocate Yogeshwaran, Shravan Krishnan, Founder of the Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary made suggestions, along with representatives of Blue Cross of India, Chennai.

Though it was pointed out that kind hearted citizens were caring for animals, the Court was of the opinion 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 remarked.

With this in mind, the Bench instructed the Committee to meet by forenoon on May 21, 202, discuss the issue, and forward its action plan to the Registry.

Advocate Yogeshwaran was directed to file a report in respect of the issue on a weekly basis

While the work of the Committee was ongoing, the Court underscored that the committee members or their affiliated institutions were not to be hindered in whatever work they were doing.Stressing that the procedures detailed by the Court were only to optimise the committee's functionality, the Court stated that there were to be nor bureaucratic delays in moving things along.

To publicise the cause, the Bench advised the publication of a Press Release setting out a plan of action so as to ensure the public was aware and could offer assistance.

In addition, the Court also allowed the Committee the liberty of inviting contributions for the cause, with the proceeds being received by the Additional Director of the Animal Husbandry Department (Veterinary Services) in a bank account dedicated for the purpose. The Committee's weekly report was to contain a Statement of Receipts and Payments as well, the Court ordered

Allowing the Committee to take the assistance of different associations and persons, the Court emphasised,

"We firmly believe that collective action will have an enhanced impact and hence this effort to bring to the table persons representing different institutions including the State, for a common cause. The committee is at liberty to enlist the help of other associations, community feeders and key persons in different areas of the city and beyond, to carry forward their mandate."

The matter was thereafter directed to be clubbed with the matters relating to Covid presently dealt with by the Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthil Ramamoorthy.

CASE: VE Shiva v. The Director

COUNSEL: Advocate A.M. Natraj, Government Advocate R.Neelakandan,