AWBI accuses hound race organisers of violating norms

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is unhappy over the hound race that took place in Pandori Gola village a few days ago. More than 100 dogs from different parts of the country, also foreigners, took part in it. The race was organised by the Majha Friends Club, Bath (Tarn Taran).

The AWBI, country’s apex body working towards welfare of animals, has taken a serious note of the lapses on the part of the district administration and has started gathering facts on violation of the norms. Citing lapses, Dr Sandeep, honorary in charge of the AWBI (Punjab), in a letter to local in charge of the AWBI, Navdeep Sood, has asked the latter to gather violation norms. He said the dogs participated in the race were not registered with the AWBI under the Performing Animals Registration Rules-2001. He further added that the organisers did not take permission from the district collector, police, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), animal welfare organisation and the Department of Animal Husbandry for organising the race.

Sub- Inspector Soni, Additional SHO, Sadar, along with her team, was also seen on the stage at the time of hound races. Surinder Singh, SDM, when contacted expressed his ignorance of the hound races. He confirmed that the organisers took no permission for the event. Officials of the Animal Husbandry Department too said that no permission was sought from them. A team of veterinary officials was also not there, which was a must to conduct medical examination of the participant dogs to ascertain if they were administered any intoxicant or steroid to boost the performance. 

110-year-old inaugural stone looks afresh

Officials of the veterinary polyclinic, Tarn Taran, are taking special care of the 110-year-old-inauguration stone which marked the beginning of the veterinary facility. In 1908, the then British Government gave this facility to the residents under veterinary dispensary. About 50 years back, the dispensary was upgraded to veterinary hospital. Later, it was converted to polyclinic about 14 years ago. The polyclinic was providing facilities to the area residents on par with the PAU, Ludhiana. Dr Ranbir Singh, Senior Veterinary Officer (SVO), said the officials and all the employees had been appealed to take special care of the historic inauguration stone. In the district, perhaps, there is no other such old stone. At the time of constructing of veterinary dispensary building, residential quarters too were built for the employees and officials so that they could give round-the clock services to the people. These buildings have been collapsed with the passage of time but the stone is still looking new. The officials deserve three cheers.