AWBI asks DC Srinagar to conduct enquiry, taken action
FAIZAN BUKHARI
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has asked deputy commissioner Srinagar to conduct an enquiry and take appropriate action on a complaint regarding illegal sale of pedigree dogs and Persian cats by a pet shop in Srinagar.
In a letter number 9-18/2022-23/PCA dated July 26, 2022 shot by AWBI to DC Srinagar, a copy of which is in possession of Kashmir Despatch, Dr S.K Dutta, secretary Animal Welfare Board of India has said: “…the Board has received a complaint stating that one pet shop namely Breeder’s hub in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar is selling pedigree dogs and Persian cats.”
The letter reads that the cruelty to animals is an offence under section 11 (1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( pet Shop) Rules 2018.
The AWBI has also quoted a ruling by the Supreme Court in a case titled AWBI Versus Nagaraja and Ors in which five freedoms viz freedom from hunger, thirst, malnutrition, freedom from fear and distress, freedom from physical and thermal discomfort, freedom from pain, injury and disease and freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour be protected and safeguarded by the State, Central Government and Union Territories.
“In view of the above, it is requested to conduct an enquiry in the matter and take appropriate action as per the provisions of the law. Forward action taken report to the Board immediately to take further necessary action,” reads the letter by AWBI shot to DC Srinagar.
An animal welfare activist told Kashmir Despatch that there are various pet shops across Srinagar city who indulge in selling kittens illegally. “Not only kittens but other endangered animals and cubs, Iguana are being sold illegally in Srinagar,” the animal activist told Kashmir Despatch on the condition of anonymity.
He said that almost all pet shops and animal breeders in Kashmir are illegal and the government of India has put a ban on their operations. “Either they should be inspected and registered by the State Animal Welfare Board or they should be shut down,” he opined.
Pertinently, there are over 30 pet shops running in Srinagar city and almost all of them are unregistered and do not possess the requisite license to market or go for breeding of their captive animals.
