Madras High Court has ordered issue of notice to state officials and Animal Welfare Board of India on a petition by animal rights body PETA, seeking to shut down a dog breeding unit at a government veterinary hospital here for alleged lack of proper care of the animals there.
Chief Justice RK Agrawal and Justice K Ravichandra Babu, constituting the first bench, ordered notice to authorities of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department, dog breeding unit of Saidapet Veterinary Government Hospital and Animal Welfare Board of India, returnable by four weeks.
The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, represented by its Director of Veterinary affairs Manilal Valliyate, contended that the breeding unit was being run in contravention of the prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960 and the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules 2001.
He also prayed for a direction to the breeding unit to relinquish the dogs to them for proper treatment and care.
The unit was established by the government in 1980-81 with a view to preserving the native dog breeds of the state. Dogs bred in the unit are sold to the public.
The petitioner submitted that they received complaints of lack of adequate facilities and care for the dogs in the breeding unit. After being authorised by the Animal Welfare Board of India, PETA undertook an inspection of the unit on June 24 last.
A detailed report was presented, highlighting that the unit was operating as a commercial business and was poorly run. It recommended its closure to end the suffering of the dogs there.
PETA had already sent representations to the Chief Minister and other authorities along with its inspection report, pleading for closure of the unit. As there was no action, the present petition has been filed.
