SC seeks response on plea to stop cruelty to animals

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the response of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) on a petition against rising instances of “barbaric cruelty”

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the response of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) on a petition against rising instances of “barbaric cruelty” to animals and their exploitation in the pet shop industry.

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Abenchof JusticeDipakMisra and Justice C Nagappan issued notice to AWBI and impleaded it as a party in the matter in which the apex court had earlier sought the Centre’s response.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner NGO Angel Trust, informed the bench that the Centre had not yet filed its reply on the plea.

The plea has sought framing of guidelines regarding punishment for animal abuse and regulation of the pet shop industry, contending that there was a “vacuum in law”.

It cited several incidents of brutality to animals, including a March 20, 2016 incident in which a man was caught on CCTV stabbing to death three stray dogs and a puppy outside the Green Park Metro Station here

Bhushan had earlier told the court that the Law Commission hadgivenadetailedreportregarding animals being treated cruelly at pet shops and said the government has not yet notified the rules prepared by AWBI, which should be done immediately.

The plea also said that perpetrators were aware that the “toothless legislation and lackadaisical enforcement” meant that they would go scot-free.