Dear Editor,
Milestones have been achieved in the production of milk and meat, but animals are the victims of cruelty in the process of development. Countless animals are suffering in factory farms, dairies, slaughterhouses and leather and fur industries. In meat production, animals’ suffering during sale, transport and slaughter is most gruesome. Cognisance of this barbaric treatment has forced fashion companies around the world to pledge not to use Indian leather. In poultry farms, cramming together of birds in cages never give them a chance to do anything that is normal and important to them. Millions of stray dogs and cattle roam on streets without food, water and shelter.
The Government of India enacted the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Establishment and Regulation of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Rules, 2001, and directed the state governments to establish a society for every district in the state to be the SPCA of that district. The enforcement staff of the SPCA is empowered to seize victimised animals and get punished the offenders in accordance with the law. Injured and sick animals are to be brought to the SPCA for treatment. Stray and abandoned animals are to be rehabilitated. But nothing concrete has been done by the SPCA. If the government is concerned about increasing productivity, it should equally be keen to prevent cruelty to
animals.
Shangara Singh
Samba