PIL says Goa has no state-run emergency care, infirmaries or ambulances for injured and dying street animals
PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the State government to respond to a Public Interest Litigation seeking a 24×7 system to rescue, treat and cremate street animals. The matter will be heard again on January 7.
The petition, filed by Indresh Advani, says Goa has no formal, State-run system to care for injured, old or disabled animals, despite duties under the SPCA Rules, 2001 and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. Advani says the lack of emergency and end-of-life services leads to preventable cruelty, especially at night when no government-supported rescue service is available. He also warns that the absence of basic facilities creates public health risks.
The petition states that the government has not set up district-level infirmaries or installed animal incinerators. It says thousands of animals die on the streets or inside shelters every year, while NGOs with limited resources try to manage without night-time veterinarians or rescue teams.
It adds that although authorities have spoken of starting animal ambulances, not a single 24×7 ambulance is operational. The PIL seeks at least four fully equipped ambulances with trained staff who can give on-site treatment.
It also notes that almost no State-run facilities exist for old, paralysed or abused animals. Only one private trust in Pernem houses about 150 such small animals. The PIL urges the Court to order two State-funded infirmaries, one in each district, with operation theatres, isolation wards, staff quarters and veterinary teams.
Data placed before the Court shows over 2,800 cattle deaths in eight gaushalas in the last three years. It estimates nearly 10,000 animal deaths annually when dogs and other street animals are included.
The PIL seeks directions to install incinerators in all talukas, create a 24×7 ambulance network, set up two district-level infirmaries and form a high-level monitoring committee.
