Nagpur: Under the provisions of Prevetion of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the owner of a pet cannot kill it in case it is suffering from some dangerous disease, and throw its body to streets. If the owner of pet does not abide by these norms, he commits a crime, and an FIR can be filed against him for police action.
It was highlighted by an RTI activist of Nagpur, Ankita Kamlesh Shah who has made a complaint with AWBI (Animal Welfare Board of India) against a pet-owner, demanding suitable action against him.
According to her, a dog-owner noticed that his dog (pet) was suffering form rabies, so he killed his pet (dog) and threw its body on the road. Some boys picked the body of dog and hanged it on a tree.
Reportedly, the owner of the dog admitted the act done by him. From this, it can be concluded and is totally evident that the said owner of the dog has been deliberately negligent towards the welfare of his pet, as defined according to Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. It was his responsibility to give the dog proper vaccinations as required to prevent such diseases.
Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 is read as, “Duties of persons having charge of animals : It shall be the duty of every person having the care or charge of any animal to take all reasonable measures to ensure the well-being of such animal and to prevent the infliction upon such animal of unnecessary pain or suffering”.
Hence, for the deliberate violation of the PCA Act on the part of the owner, AWBI is required to take a stringent action against the owner and the local Nagpur Municipal Corporation for not monitoring the licenses of the pet animals and direct the concerned police station to register an FIR on the said owner after a thorough proper investigation.
The RTI activist has appealed to AWBI, “You are also requested to pass a specific, clear and necessary directions/ instructions to all the states to strictly license the pets and ensure their vaccination so that such incidents do not repeat in future.”
Now, all eyes are set at the reply the AWBI gives the RTI activist, and what action it takes in the matter.
