Animal Cruelty Due To COVID-19 Induced Lockdown
Author: Natasha Syal
INTRODUCTION
The lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19
infection has had an adverse impact on animal life in the city, according to
animal lovers and activists. According to Frendicoes, which runs an animal
hospital and asylum in Defence Colony, Delhi and Gopalpur, Haryana, there has
been a three-fold rise in the number of pets left at its doorstep. Many dog
owners are simply keeping their pets in balconies and refusing to let them
inside the house.
Further, stray dogs are suffering from bizarre
incidents of cruelty. A resident of RK Puram recently reported two cases,
wherein someone had poured a bucket of Savlon solution on a cat and phenol on a
dog.
WORLD
HEALTH ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH
As per the
notification by the World Organisation for Animal Health animal’s cannot be infected with and neither can
carry the Covid 19 virus, it stated “the current spread of COVID-19 is a result
of human to human transmission. To date, there is no evidence that companion
animals can spread the disease. Therefore, there is no justification in taking
measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare.” [1]
THE SITUATION
An animal
activist stated that the pets are the first to suffer. Also, many a time it is the kids who
pressurise parents into getting them a pet. And when rumours of pet
transmission hit, adults in the family are only too happy to let the pet go.
Besides, many well-to-do pet owners depend on professional carers and trainers
for their pets. Since all this is difficult to come by during a lockdown, the
only option they can think of is giving up the pets.
Not only the pets but also even the many pets that have
been incarcerated in pet shops, which cannot be opened because of the lockdown,
are dying in inhumane ways. They are
hungry, thirsty and scared. Raghav Ahir, who volunteers with an NGO, recounts
horrific details, “At one of the shops, there were caged up pups, fish and
birds. The pups were dehydrated and needed immediate hospitalisation.
A national level NGO, PFA (People For Animals) stated
that on investigation of pet shops in Delhi the fish had died in the dirty
tanks and many birds also lay dead.The PFA along with the Society for
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rescued approximately 1,500 animals in Delhi alone. While animal lovers feed street dogs daily,
abandoned pedigree dogs don’t have such luck.
The
Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) even urged state governments to ensure
that animals kept in pet stores do not suffer as owners shut shops in the wake
of COVID-19 lockdowns across the country
The letter by AWBI Chairman O.P. Chaudhary read: “It
has (been) brought to the notice of the board that a large number of pet shops
or…breeding facilities where animals and birds are kept for sale are now shut
down due to lockdown/Yecurfew.. All such pet shops are to be evacuated by
the State Animal Welfare Boards through SPCAs (Society for Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals)…Where there are no SPCAs available, the district
administration shall ensure to check and evacuate all animals…,” .
By
notifiaction the police forces in cities like Delhi and Mumbai have agreed to let dog feeders venture out and
feed stray canines, provided they take feeder passes from their respective
district Deputy Commission of Police offices. Further through
The team of BBMP- Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (Bengaluru) saw dead rabbits and birds
in two of the shops they inspected, while in a few others they found animals
that were starved for days and animals cooped up in 10 ft X 10 ft shops withoHut
any ventilation.
In Bangaluru as many as 13 pet shops in the south and
east Bengaluru were found to have neglected the animals after the Municipal
Authorities inspected on April 1 and 2. "None of them had a license issued
by the animal welfare board as per the rules. The BBMP officials were clueless
about the fact that such animal cruelty was happening right under their noses.
The Karnataka State Animal Welfare Board's member Shivanand said his team saw
dead rabbits and birds in two of the shops they inspected, while in a few
others they found animals that were starved for days and animals cooped up in
10 ft X 10 ft shops without any ventilation. These animals were in pure misery,
with no strength to bark or cry out for help.
"None of them had a license issued by the animal
welfare board as per the rules. The BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
officials were clueless about the fact that such animal cruelty was happening
right under their noses," The News Minute quoted the Karnataka State
Animal Welfare Board's member Shivanand as saying. According to Shivanand, his
team saw dead rabbits and birds in two of the shops they inspected, while in a
few others they found animals that were starved for days and animals cooped up
in 10 ft X 10 ft shops without any ventilation. These animals were in pure
misery, with no strength to bark or cry out for help.
THE KERALA HIGH COURT
The
Kerala High Court, allowed a cat
owner’s plea to go out in his car and buy food for his pets, amid the
nationwide lockdown to curb novel coronavirus.
Considering the plea filed, who has
three pet cats, a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justices A K
Jayasankaran Nambiar and Shaji P Chaly observed that animal food and fodder
were covered under essential items. Allowing the plea, the court directed that
the petitioner could go out to buy the food for his pets on the basis of a
self-declaration, along with the order of the court.[2]
CONCLUSION
Witnessing cruelty to animals is an upsetting
experience, but knowing how to handle the situation properly can save a life
and prevent the abuser from harming other victims. Here are nine things to do
if you see someone abuse an animal:
1. Remain calm and get veterinary care
2. Speak up, because if you don’t, who will?
3. Know the law
4. Document the crime
5. File a first information report (FIR) with the
police immediately
6. Notify other appropriate authorities
7. Contact animal-protection groups
[1] https://www.oie.int/en/scientific-expertise/specific-information-and-recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus/
[2] https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/kerala-hc-allows-cat-owner-to-go-out-to-buy-food-for-pets-6350495/
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