Mokokchung, November 15 (MTNews): The Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung has in an order reprimanded a directive issued by a village council that directed residents within its jurisdiction for “removal/relocation” of pet dogs and has declared it null and void.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that numerous complaints were received, including from the Pet Care Society, against the directive issued by the Mokokchung Village Council on November 1 regarding “relocation/removal of pet dogs from the households of Mokokchung Village Jurisdiction.”
It may be mentioned that the Mokokchung Village Council had on November 1 reiterated its earlier resolution to prohibit keeping pet dogs within its jurisdiction and had instructed them to stop pet keeping of dogs by November 15.
The Deputy Commissioner stated in the order that the village council’s directive is against the protection of life and personal liberty ensured in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and is also found to be in contravention of the various relevant provisions of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Further, it was stated that the village council’s directives are in direct violation of the Guidelines for Pets and Street Dogs and their Care-Givers dated 26th February 2015, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), and various subsequent verdicts of the Supreme Court of India and various High Courts.
The Deputy Commissioner’s order also stated that the Village Council should be auxiliary to the administration and not issue orders/directives which are against the Government Statutory Acts as per Section 15 (1) of Nagaland Village Council Act, 1978.
“Therefore, the directive issued by the Mokokchung Village Council Dated 1st Nov 2022 regarding the removal/relocation of pet dogs is hereby declared null and void with immediate effect,” the order read.
Further, stating that the Mokokchung Village Council directive is in contravention of the statutory acts and comes under the category of intimidating pet owners, the Chairman and Secretary of Mokokchung Village Council have been directed to appear in the court of District Magistrate, Mokokchung within seven days of the issuance of the order.