Meghalaya High Court Directs State Government to Prohibit Public Display of Animal Carcasses in Meat Shops [Read Judgment]

NEW DELHI: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to ensure that there would not be any public display of animal carcasses in meat shops, while emphasising the need for ethical treatment of animals culled for human consumption. 

A bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh noted with concern, that it does not appear that there has been any effect of any guidelines or instructions issued by the State in such regard.

"Streetside shops selling meat display animal carcasses with impunity. Apart from the hideous sight, there is also an element of hygiene involved since the meat displayed is open to the grime and dust of the street and may turn quite toxic even before it is sold," the bench said.

Dealing with a PIL by 'Gau Gyan Foundation', the bench said the matter pertained to the treatment of animals that are culled for human consumption and the transportation of animals across the State.

Despite there being Central enactments and local regulations pursuant to the Central enactments, the petitioner had demonstrated that most of the guidelines and norms were not being followed and local level committees were not functional, it said.

Hopefully, such lapses have been taken care of and the State will ensure a more ethical treatment of animals, the bench added.

"The one aspect that remains is how animal carcasses are brazenly displayed on streetside shops, sometimes complete with beheaded heads of pigs in open view. Upon the State being repeatedly advised that such sight may not be appealing even to the most carnivorous of humans, some measures have been taken to ensure that such displays are restrained and altogether prohibited," the bench said.

The state government on its part submitted that detailed measures have been taken in such regard in June, 2022 and repeated instructions have followed.

"The State would do well to set an example and completely prohibit the display of animal carcasses in meat shops, though they may be stored in refrigerators or containers or even in showcases within the premises and not open to public view from outside," the bench said.

"Otherwise, the State should ensure the ethical treatment of animals across the board, even those which are culled for human consumption and those which are used as farm animals, including the mode and manner of transportation thereof," the bench added.

The court appreciated the public spirited petitioner for bringing a matter of some importance in its notice by the PIL.

[Read Judgment]