HC takes up PIL on prevention of cruelty to animals

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 22

The High Court of Manipur on its own motion has taken up a PIL for the effective implementation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 and its rules in the state.

The PIL is also incorporating a presentation submitted by People for Animal (PFA) to acting chief justice through registrar general of the High Court praying to give directives to authorities concerned in the connection with Cil. (P) case No.224 of 2017 in reference to FIR No.243(8) 2017, IPS u/s 11(a)(d)(k) of PCA Act in the court of chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West.

The presentation furnished by PFA maintained that on August 30 one L. Bishwajeet Meitei lodged a complaint stating that one eco van with registration No. MN04 A/9991 was carrying seven dogs in a very cruel manner.

The dogs limbs were found tied up by binding wires and all the dogs were adult and it is cleared that they were being transported for consumption, added the complaint.

Following the case the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West on August 31 convicted the accused persons and imposed a fine of Rs.50 each and directed the accused to deposit a sum of Rs. 5000 as expenses towards maintenance of the seized dogs.

The PIL also mentioned that Pony is one of the five recognised equine breeds of India is very important and critical for the state as well the country as part of the national gene pool.

It mentioned that the population of this highly valued pony breed is dwindling rapidly in recent times, from 1898 in the 17th Quinquennial Livestock Census 2003 to only 1101 in the 19th Quinquennial Livestock Census 2012.

Such situation now calls for immediate implementation of conservation programmes through formulation of a holistic policy on conservation and development of Manipur Pony and the state government has also declared Manipur Pony as an endangered breed in 2013.

The PIL also mentioned that most of the ponies were abandoned by their owners and they do not provide proper shelter, feeds and medical attention to their ponies.

The owner collect the horses whenever they need for polo matches or race etc and in the other time the abandoned horses wandered on streets and roads in search of food and shelter, added the PIL.

The PIL further prayed to the High Court to direct the state government especially veterinary and animal services of Manipur to construct proper animal shelters in all the districts at the earliest as stipulated in PCA Act 1960 and rules framed under it.

It also prayed for directing the SPCA of Imphal West or veterinary & animnal husbandry services, Manipur to take over the six numbers of dogs sheltering at the animal shelter of PFA which is at Thoubal Wangmataba as well as compensate the cost, effort of caring six dogs beyond 7 days as directed by CJM, Imphal West to PFA Manipur.

On being heard of the submission of PIL, advocate general has sought time for submitting relevant reports in connection with the PIL filed before the acting chief justice and he has fixed the matter to be heard on December 4.