AWBI advisory to states for rescue, rehab of stray animals

Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued an advisory to states to initiate necessary action for rescue and rehabilitation of stray animals. The board issued the following advisory for taking appropriate action on urgent basis: Cattle pound/Kanji House should be revived/constructed with requisite infrastructure specially shelter, water, feed, medical facilities etc. If the authorities are not able to do the same, such work may be outsourced to the animal welfare organisations (AWO) with the requisite Existing AWOs should not be allowed/forced to keep animals more than their capacity as allowing to keep more than the capacity amounts to cruelty.

If the local authority wants to keep stray animals in these Gaushalas/AWOs then additional shelter houses must be provided/constructed to shelter additional animals. The board authorised, if any violation is found, appropriate action shall be taken against the offender including the local bodies. Endeavour should be made to tag all the animals by the concerned authority within their jurisdiction to identify the owner and fix the responsibilities. Computerised records may be generated which will help in identification of owners and for taking further necessary action.

One nodal officer of a senior rank should be appointed to take care of the above tasks to redress the complaints of the public, Gaushalas, AWOs and the said officer may be made accountable. The name of the Nodal Officer should be displayed on the website including name, mobile number, email address etc. Rules and Regulations of licensing of animals particularly with regard to pet dogs and other animals should be strictly implemented. If there are no such rules, the same must be framed at the earliest. It is the responsibilities of local bodies to protect stray animal i.e. dogs, cats, cattle etc from cruelty and sufferings. ABC schemes and sterilisation of animals should be properly implemented so that there is no case of dog bites etc, causing nuisance, fear and harm to the public at large. Failure to implement ABC Schemes and sterilisation of animals, it will invite action against the concerned local bodies, especially against their head. Helplines and Police assistance may be taken by the local bodies as and when require implementing the rules.

The complaints of Monkey (Rhesus Macaque) bites are also rampant and the monkey being a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, these needs to be taken care of by taking appropriate action by the concerned Forest Department in coordination with the local authority. The Supreme Court of India has recognised the following rights/freedoms of the animals: freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition, freedom from fear and distress, freedom from physical and thermal discomfort, freedom from pain, injury and diseases and freedom to express normal patterns of behavior. The Apex Court also made following declarations and directions: AWBI and Governments are directed to take appropriate steps to see that the persons-in-charge or care of animals, take reasonable measures to ensure the well-being of animals.

AWBI and Governments are also directed to take steps to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on the animals, since their rights have been statutorily protected under Sections 3 and 11 of PCA Act. Any violation of the PCA Act 1960 and the observations/directions of the Supreme Court will attract appropriate legal action including contempt of court against the errant official including head of the concerned local bodies. Shortage of funds will not be an excuse for not undertaking the captioned tasks/functions. In case of scarcity funds, it may be sought from the concerned state governments/Union Territories for creating infrastructure and other facilities.