Now, cops to keep eagle eye on pet shops in state

Aman Sood
Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 16

The state police have been tasked with ensuring compliance of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, notified by the Environment Ministry last month.

Cops will have to gather information regarding the total number of animals “sold, traded, bartered, brokered, given away, boarded, exhibited, died or euthanised” during the previous year.

In a letter written on October 9, the Director, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab, has directed all district police chiefs to ensure that pet shop owners display or house animals for sale in accommodation and environment suitable to their species in terms of size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness. They also have to make it sure that every registered pet shop submits an annual report to the state animal welfare board.

Many such shops have no quarantine area to keep infected animals, often leading to the spread of viruses.

Senior officers said the police had been authorised to register FIRs against violators, many of whom were using shanties to run shops selling cats, pigeons, dogs, parrots and fish. “In some cases, these pet shop owners leave animals locked and unattended at night. All such violations will attract FIRs following recommendations by the animal welfare board,” they said, adding that some of these owners indulged in the illegal trade of snakes and peacocks.

However, a section of police officers said the force was already overburdened with law and order and traffic duties. “The government should have asked the Wildlife Department to ensure compliance of the rules,” said a retired IPS officer.

As per the rules, a pet shop should be located within a permanent structure or building, with adequate arrangements for basic amenities such as water and electricity.

“This decision will check inhuman ways of keeping animals up for sale. Unscrupulous shop owners also trade in pregnant animals, which is against the law,” said Jaskaran Singh Sandhu, member of the Punjab State Board for Wildlife. “If violation of the norms is detected during an inspection of a pet shop, the owner’s registration can be cancelled,” he added.

The police will also have to ensure that pet shops are not located within 100 metres of butcheries or abattoirs, while an isolated or quarantine area is needed so that pet animals infected with a contagious disease or suspected of being infected can be segregated from other animals intended for sale. “This is important to ensure that there are minimal chances of spread of infection,” Sandhu said.