This article talks about pet and animal laws in India that lay down the rights they enjoy along with the citizens. Demystifying the legal apprehensions and clarifying the punishable offenses regarding animals in general. Case study continued from the previous article being my own pet dog, Roger a male liver spotted Dalmatian aged 11 years.
Immediate Response:
This follows after the previous narration of the incident.
https://medium.com/@sruthiroger008/howled-out-of-context-a-dogs-story-c41dd4d3fd85
We as a family were feeling sorry and were already trying to make amendments to the woes of our neighbours. With heavy hearts we contacted many dog boarding centres. Many of them were closed and non-operational during this pandemic. To our luck we found one who were kind enough to operate their facility for many dogs, provided with strict vaccination checks and measures.
Prepared to let our pet stay afar we got him vaccinated for kennel fever and animal corona-virus as well. Yes, animals are known to be effected by other old strains of corona virus and vaccinations are available for them. The myths around COVID-19 transmission from animals is an article for another day.
Now our home is extra silent in the evenings. Days went wearily like this without the presence of our beloved guard dog. I had time to introspect and research about the threat our neighbours posed upon us.
“If your dog doesn’t stop barking and howling we will complaint to the authorities and the police”, was the summary of the call.
Researched Information for Case Study- Roger
Indian Constitution being its most inclusive self included rights of animals too. Article 51 (G) of 1949 talks about the duty of every Indian Citizen in protecting and improving the habitat and environment we live in. That includes forests, animals, lakes, rivers and all living beings residing alongside our democracy.
It is notable that the first ever mention of animals is supported by the fact that their well being is our duty and their safety is our responsibility.
Deriving constitutional power from the above article, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 came into force. With this act came the Animal Welfare Board of India which laid down the rights enjoyed by dogs both as pets and street bred. The board released a circular on 26th of February 2015. Here, I am going to remind you that things will get interesting.
Rights and Guidelines:
Exclusively stated as the guidelines, these are made effective keeping in mind the various situations and case studies that might come up. The board assures that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law in executing the required punishments under the act. Pet owners and Residential Associations are focused on separately.
1. Countering the threat our neighbours had posed us with this first right sounds so familiar to something my father said to them. Pets are family, they are equivalent to a child and a forceful abandonment is an offense.
2. To the demands of our neighbours to stop his bark, this circular states that barking of dogs is natural and must be tolerated. Barking should not be the reason to ‘ban’ a certain breed of dog or any dog on any other grounds. Ban is not the solution but providing for an alternative is. No rule be imposed on pet owners but conveyed as advice.
3. No association in the country is equipped with the powers to declare something as illegal other than the supreme law. Let alone something as co-existent as pets.
“Attaining their Fundamental Freedom, the citizens of India can live their lives with or without a pet as their companion”.
4. For the claim that my pet is extremely aggressive for a dog, even muzzling him is a choice given to pet owners and not a compulsion.
Duties and Responsibilities:
However exciting it is to read about the rights and protection enjoyed by the pet owners, I do take not of the duties that come with taking care of a pet.
1. Ensuring that pets do not become a constant nuisance to the neighbours in any form.
2. Curbing consistent barking especially in the night adds extra to the responsibility badge of honour of the owners.
3. Maintaining a healthy and fully vaccinated pet also comes as a duty of the owner. Negligence here is an offense too.
4. “Scoop the poop” slogan should be taken seriously by pet owners and not always delegate this work to municipal cleaners.
5. Leashing dogs irrespective of their size, breed and tamed nature while commuting common public places is advisable.
6. With growing population of dogs, it is also advised to neuter the pets.
Ending here briefly and restricting the article to the specific case study, let me tell you it was a relief. The whole incident, with its absurd neighbourhood claims was an eye-opener to all of us. Activities which were halted due to the lock down have been resolved, and the petting regardless of the possible bites has increased.
Thank you for your time people.
Published By
Matta Sruthi on LinkedIn.
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.