Stray cattle : HC issue notice to state 

The High Court of Himachal Pradesh today issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Urban Development), Principal Secretary  (Animal Husbandry), to the Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Commissioner M.C Dharamshala and others, in a matter pertaining to the problem of stray cattle on the Highways, Municipal  roads/paths and markets of Dharamshala. A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice, A.A. Sayed and  Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, passed this order on a Public Interest Litigation filed by one Sh. Bakshdeep, resident of Dharamshala Town, who is 4″ year student of B.B.A., L.L.B, National Law University, Shimla. The petitioner has alleged that there are 20-25 stray cattle, roaming freely through the roads, streets and markets in Dharamshala Town. Due to  no availability of shelter, the stray cattle take refuge in the rain shelters and streets and all rain shelters and street are replete with the cow dung. It has been alleged that recently a bull from amongst the herd of stray cattle  attacked one Sh. Tajinder Singh, a senior citizen with ferocity. Said Sh  Tajinder Singh sustained a severe head injury and is undergoing medical  treatment in Zonal Hospital Dharamshala. There are certain other incidents of local residents being attacked by the bul. The petitioner has further alleged that due to inaction on the part of administration and Municipal Corporation, there is a constant fear amongst the local residents of the town from such attacks by the stray cattle and consequential injuries. The issue raised by way of present PIL does not only relate to safety and security of local residents, but also to the rights of stray cattle who due to non availability of appropriate shelter and animal feed are compelled to feed on garbage, spend nights on the roads and in rain shelters. The petitioner has prayed to take legal action against respondents in order to obviate the menace of stray cattle in M.C Dharamshala and its surrounding areas and to make arrangements for their care in accordance with law in the interest of justice. The respondents have been directed to file reply within four weeks.