PANAJI
To avoid confusion and bring clarity in the role and jurisdiction of veterinary officers attached to Goa State Animal Welfare Board, police and other related agencies -- district magistrate, veterinary doctors to streamline the rescue of animal and book offence in case of an incident of cruelty towards animals, the Goa state Welfare Board has issued clear standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding such offences.
The SOP provides legal, professional and ethical principles with step-by-step guidance for providing an appropriate response in the instances of cruelty towards animals.
Many incidents of animals hit due to rash driving, illegal trade for slaughtering were reported but many times there is confusion among the agencies over how to act in these cases.
This SOP will clear all confusions. As per the SOP, when there is any incident of cruelty towards animals the GSWB inspector has to give detailed written information to the in-charge of the jurisdictional police station with all details such as time, date and place of the offence, name of the accused, description of offence with the sections applicable. The complaint copies are to be sent to the Director-General of Police, District Collector and Director of Animal Husbandry.
The Police has to register an FIR and do a further investigation with the rescue of animals. The GSAWB member has to assist the police. The medical reports, identification, first aid to rescued animals have to be provided by the GSAWB officials. The custody of animals will be determined by the Judicial Magistrate as per Rule 3(b) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of case property animals) Rules 2017. At the request of the police, the post-mortem of an animal has to be done by the veterinary officer of the jurisdiction.
The cognizable offences under Prevention of Cruelty act 1960 Section 11(1) clause (n), clause (0), Section 12, Indian Penal Code 1860, Section 428, 429 - Mischief by maiming or killing any animal, Section 503 and 506 Criminal intimidation of any person, Section 279 - Animal killed or injured due to rash and negligent driving, Goa Daman and Diu Prevention of Cow slaughter Act 1978, Arms Act 1959, Section 3 and 4 can be registered as per nature of offence. Action can also be initiated under appropriate non-cognizable offence under PCA Act 1960 section 11(1) (a) to (k) and Clause (m) Section 38 any rules framed thereunder, The Goa Animal Preservation Act 1995, Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and Motor Vehicle Rule 1989.
