In Re: Bruno - Animal Owners Shall Register The Animals With Local Self Govt Bodies Within Six Months: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday issued additional guidelines and suggestions to improve the condition of animal welfare in the state. A Division Bench of Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice P Gopinath also impleaded certain animal welfare organizations such as DAYA and Angels Nair, General Secretary for Animal Legal Force Integration as additional respondents in the matter. The Court declared that this matter will be heard bi-weekly till the directions were implemented efficiently. Registration of AnimalsHigh Court has asked the State Government to direct local self-government bodies to immediately issue public notices requiring owners of all animals to register the animals with them within 6 months Additionally, it was also suggested to make such registration mandatory within 3 months of owning any animal. The Court recalled how there used to be a licensing regulation similar to this system, but observed that this was not pursued in earnest under the Panchayat Rules.Such registration would help in a multitude of ways, the Bench observed. For example, a lot of animals are found abandoned across the State. These animals can be taken into a shelter, but their owner has to be traced and discouraged from keeping any more pets. This could apply to people who hurt or maim animals as well. Registration made this process easier.Similarly, the Court recalled how there used to be an aluminum tag for every animal that was registered. There was once even an initiative to insert microchips for every animal registered for easy identification of animals. These should be brought back and implemented in a strict sense across the State. The Bench also suggested that a fee could be collected for the same since it was a service. Such measures could be helpful for vaccination and tracing purposes as well, the Court held.During the proceedings, it was urged that the concerned authorities implement the Rules applicable and align their actions accordingly since a lot of thought was put in while framing them.Other Relevant Directions:Animal Birth ControlThe Court expressed concerns regarding the birth control measures taken by organizations that are not competent to handle such matters. It was brought to the attention of the court that animal birth control measures were currently being implemented through bodies like the Kudumbasree. The State was directed to inform the Court as to whether the Kudumbasree is an organisation registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India, as mandated by the Rules. Accordingly, the respondents were directed to submit an inventory with the details of all facilities operated by the state for animal birth control. The first step was to identify the gap in the infrastructure required and the infrastructure provided by the State. In addition, the Division Bench suggested that the State can hold hands with private players to achieve better implementation of the guidelines. There were several private organizations operating shelters equipped with infrastructure for proper medical treatment for animals. These organizations were also very well-informed and dedicated to their cause, and the State could benefit from them if public-private participation was launched. As a result, a proposal was put forth by the Court where till the State had its own competent infrastructure to cater to the needs of animals, it could participate with the private players and maybe even fund them to an extent. An analogy was made to the education sector in this regard. If the private players were found to be in compliance with the regulations in force, partially funding them and involving them in the process could go a long way in realizing our objective, the Court opinedThe respondents were also directed to make a list of all the competent medical facilities available in the State for animals along with a list of all qualified veterinary doctors so that a database can be created. This was to be done immediately after reconstitution of the Board so that the database could be uploaded on their official website and made accessible to the citizenry.Removal of Posters Urging Pets To Be Caged/ChainedThe Court's attention was also brought to a set of posters that were issued by the Animal Welfare Department across the state veterinary clinics. the Court opined that these posters 'say things an animal welfare body should not say'. A clause on the poster stated that domestic animals should be chained or caged at all times and warned of penalties otherwise. Similarly, it said that stray dogs should not be fed or given water. The Court found these clauses disturbing and directed the respondents to issue a general instruction to remove these posters today itself.Inaction From PoliceAnother aspect that brought to the court's notice was the inaction of police authorities when complaints regarding animal rights were field. Advocate M. Uma Devi, representing DAYA, alleged that they do not get the required cooperation from the...

In Re: Bruno - Animal Owners Shall Register The Animals With Local Self Govt Bodies Within Six Months: Kerala High Court

Hannah M Varghese

"Future owners of animals to register their animals with the local authority concerned within three months of acquiring the said animal".

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