Pet Peeves: NEIGRIHMS bans pets in doctors' hostel, medicos see red

The directive, issued by the institute's director, was communicated to residents by the RMO hostel's warden on September 6. The notification explicitly forbids keeping pets in any of the resident doctor's rooms at the hostel. Furthermore, the directive provided a maximum of three days for residents to find new homes for their pets.

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Violators of this order face strict penalties, including a fine of Rs 10,000. The hostel could also expel repeat offenders.

“A maximum of three (3) days time will be given in this regard to relocate their pets if anyone is having one and if anyone found violating the above order stern actions will be taken against them by the authority concerned and they will be subjected to penalty of Rs 10,000 and if found the same being repeated then they will be debark from the hostel (sic),” the notice read. 

In response to the controversial decision, pet owners and medical professionals associated with NEIGRIHMS have written to the institution's director to reconsider the prohibition.

Northeast Today reports that the affected parties have also sought assistance from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India to help them navigate this situation. PETA India is expected to send a formal letter to the NEIGRIHMS director, requesting the lift of the pet ban.

The resident doctors have strongly opposed the notice, citing ethical issues and legal justifications. They argue that as medical professionals, they are required to be available at all times in case of emergencies, making it unreasonable and impractical to give up their pets to comply with the directive.