Dehradun: In response to the growing number of unlicensed pet shops across Uttarakhand, authorities have taken a decisive step towards their regulation and compliance with animal welfare laws. A notification was issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) dated 01.05.2020, requesting all State Governments to ensure that pet shops and breeding establishments are allowed to re-open post lockdown only after registration with the State Animal Welfare Board (SAWB).
Various orders were then subsequently issued by the Government of Uttarakhand for the implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018 by the following authorities:
- Order dated 01.05.2020 by the Secretary Animal Husbandry, Government of Uttarakhand to all DMs and DGP Uttarakhand
- Order dated 13.05.2020 by the District Magistrate, Udham Singh Nagar, to SDMs and SSP USN
- Order dated 15.05.2020 by the District Magistrate, Dehradun, to SDMs and SSP DDN
- Order dated 20.05.2020 by the District Magistrate, Haridwar, to SDMs and SSP Haridwar
Earlier on 2.11.2018 in Writ Petition 213 of 2018, the High Court of Uttarakhand directed the Government of Uttarakhand to ensure all unregistered pet shops to be shut down immediately, but several shops and dog breeders were operating in the state in Contempt of the Court orders. Under the Rules, sale and marketing of animals in a shop or online is only permissible if necessary registration is obtained from the State Animal Welfare Board.
Pet shops and dog breeders in Uttarakhand have been defying the law and operating without registration for many years. Such illegal establishments not only perpetrate cruelty to animals but also cheat buyers by not giving receipts, maintaining records of acquisition or health or even sales, thereby evading taxes and responsibility for welfare.
Cruelty in Dog Breeding centers is immense. Female dogs are put through back to back pregnancies and their unweaned babies are snatched from them and sold as and when customers are available. Tails and ears of some species of dogs are mutilated by breeders on demand, even though such barbaric practices are illegal as per Rules. Unsold pups are usually killed by drowning since they are of no commercial value. Government of Uttarakhand is running a robust animal birth control program of dogs and encourages adoption of Indian dogs.
People for Animals lauds the timely directions passed by the Uttarakhand authorities and we hope for strict enforcement of the Rules.
Annexed for your reference:
- AWBI Notification dated 01.05.2020
- Order dated 01.05.2020 by the Government of Uttarakhand,
- Order dated 13.05.2020 by the Chief Veterinary Officer, Udhamsingh Nagar
- Order dated 15.05.2020 by the District Magistrate, Dehradun
- Order dated 20.05.2020 by the District Magistrate, Haridwar
AWBI Notification dated 01.05.2020 Regarding Disallowing Pet Shops & Breeding Establishments
