HC directs govt to give financial assistance for rescued dogs

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 4

The High Court of Manipur today directed the state government to give a sum of Rs. 30 thousand to the People for Animals (PFA) Manipur as financial assistance for maintaining seven dogs which were rescued on August 30.

The order was passed by the division bench of the High Court of Manipur comprising of acting chief justice, N. Kotiswar and justice, Kh. Nobin during the hearing of the suo motto PIL taken up by the High Court on its own motion for the effective implementation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 and its rules.

The seven dogs have been looked after by the PFA as entrusted by the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West on August 31 in view of inability of the State Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department to look after the dogs.

Moreover, the PFA has been incurring the expenses for maintaining the dogs till date and sought for assistance from the state government.

On August 30, one L. Bishwajeet lodged a complaint to the police stating that one van carrying seven dogs in a very cruel manner was found.

The complaint added that the dog’s limbs were found tied up by metal binding wires and it is clear that they were being transported for consumption. Subsequently, the police arrested the persons involved in the case.

Thereafter chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West convicted the accused persons and imposed a fine of Rs. 50 each and directed the accused to deposit a sum of Rs. 5,000 as expenses towards maintenance of the seized dogs and the rescued dogs were given interim custody to People for Animal Manipur.

The PIL also mentioned that the Manipur pony is one of the five recognised equine breeds of India and it has been indispensable for Manipuri society for its socio-cultural association for centuries.

It added that most of the ponies were abandoned by their owners and they failed to provide proper shelter, feeds and medical attention to the ponies but the owners collect the ponies whenever they need for polo matches or race etc.

Such abandoned ponies are wandering on streets and roads in search of food and shelter, it said.

The PIL prayed to the court to direct the state government to construct proper animal shelters in all districts at the earliest as specified in Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 and its rules and to provide necessary infrastructure and funds for proper running of animal shelters.

The court has fixed the next hearing of the PIL on December 20.