Raj Sadosh/Abohar.
Raising concern over rampant illegal trade causing immense cruelty, Rajinder R. Shah, Member Animal Welfare Board, Govt. of Gujarat, has observed that several illegal breeders / traders are actively offering to sell Pet Animals (Dogs, Cats), Birds and Poultry Chicks etc. through online platforms like Instagram, Facebook, OLX, IndiaMart and WhatsApp groups etc.
In a communication sent to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), several state governments, Shah said live animals / birds are being dispatched to buyers via Public Transport Buses, Private Couriers and Trains in sealed Cardboard Cartons/Crates without food, water, ventilation and without any fitness certificate. This is a grave violation of existing laws: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 – Sec 11 (1)(a), (d), (e), (f), (h): Confinement in cartons with no ventilation, no food/water, packing in small space causing suffocation and death. Transport of Animals Rules, 1978 (as amended) Clear rules are prescribed for transport of dogs, cats, birds and poultry by rail, road and air. Transport in sealed cartons in public buses is completely illegal. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018: explain that no person can run a Pet Shop / sell pets without registration with the State Animal Welfare Board and AWBI.
Shah said, “Recently I have come across such Instagram/Facebook pages from Punjab offering Day-Old Chicks, Pet Dogs, Cats and adult birds through All India Delivery Available in Carton Packing by Bus/Train. Such crates/cartons cause a lot of mortality esp. in the case of young animals/birds during transit.”
He demanded Issuing an advisory to Concerned for crackdown on unregistered online pet/poultry sellers operating in Punjab. Direct State Animal Welfare Board, Punjab to issue public notice that sale of pet animals/ poultry without registration under Pet Shop Rules 2018 and Dog Breeding Rules 2017 is illegal.
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