The issue of “culling of street dogs” will be taken up with the Supreme Court with the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) planning to approach the apex court with a Special Leave Petition.
The organisation will challenge an earlier verdict of the High Court of Kerala which held that “Sections 9 (f) and 11(3)(b) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 confer discretion upon local authorities to seize and destroy stray/street dogs.”
It was also held that “the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 framed by the Central Government pursuant to the PCA Act, are beyond the parent Act and void.”
Impugned order
According to the organisers, by “the impugned order, local authorities have unguided and unbridled discretion and powers to kill stray/street dogs under Section 11(3) of the PCA Act”.
The organisation has also objected to the “inhumane methods of catching and killing dogs” prevalent in Kerala and pointed out that most districts have failed to implement the Animal Birth Control Programme.
Recently, “disturbing statements were made by the political leadership in Kerala, including its Chief Minister, calling for the culling of stray/street dogs in the state.”
“Chief Whip, Thomas Unniyadan, made a statement that there was no legal hurdle to killing rabid or aggressive stray dogs, relying on the impugned judgment of the High Court.
