No effective steps taken to enforce SPCA rules
PANAJI
A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa, highlighting the absence of basic statutory facilities for street animals in the State, including round-the-clock emergency care, animal infirmaries, and scientific disposal of animal carcasses.
The petition filed by Indresh Shamsunder Advani, aged 62 years from Panaji, states that street animals such as cattle, dogs and cats in Goa are being denied 24x7 locational medical care in the event of accidents. They are also left without shelter when old, infirm or severely disabled, and are subjected to undignified disposal after death due to the absence of animal incinerators. It pointed out that carcasses are often buried in shallow graves, posing a serious public health hazard.
The plea further stated that despite repeated public announcements and the State’s own notification constituting District SPCA committees, no effective steps have been taken to operationalise these facilities. It also referred to an earlier writ petition in which the State had assured the High Court that action would be taken to enforce the SPCA Rules, but compliance has remained largely on paper.
“...the inaction on the part of the concerned authorities not only delays the resolution of an urgent public health and animal welfare concern but also reflects poorly on the commitment to uphold these legally mandated guidelines... till date there is no clear action taken by the State and its departments have failed in its obligations, even though the State has admitted to this obligation in its own Notification constituting the District SPCA’s...” the petition stated.
In its prayers, the petition has sought directions to the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services to establish animal incinerators across Goa, with at least one facility in every taluka, within a time frame fixed by the Court.
The petitioner has also prayed for directions to provide a minimum of four fully equipped animal ambulances operating on a 24/7 basis, staffed with veterinary or para-veterinary personnel to attend to injured street animals.
Further, the PIL seeks orders directing the State government and the department to set up two state-run animal infirmaries or sanctuaries staffed with trained personnel and to be overseen by the respective District SPCAs.
