The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India on Monday, filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court presenting fresh evidence of cruelty to dogs at the Tamil Nadu government’s dog-breeding unit (DBU) at Saidapet.
The affidavit claimed that the dogs were imprisoned and denied exercise and opportunities for socialisation.
PETA India’s investigation report revealed that the State government provided the Supreme Court with allegedly fabricated photographs following a petition challenging the 2015 order of the Madras High Court. The petition had directed the closure of the DBU for not providing dogs with basic care and for not meeting the terms and conditions set by Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
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“PETA India’s investigator visited the DBU from March 12 to 14 and documented that none of the adult dogs or puppies were allowed to play, exercise, or socialise at any point in the areas of the facility designated for this purpose,” the organisation said in a press release on Tuesday.
Such constant confinement of dogs as has been documented at the DBU is an apparent violation of Rule 24 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and Section 11(g) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, it added.
PETA India began its court case against the DBU after a 2013 inspection authorised by the AWBI indicated that dogs were constantly confined to kennels with no exercise, socialisation, or grooming.
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In December 2016, the Madras High Court directed the closure of the DBU within two months. In January 2017, the Tamil Nadu government challenged the order before the Supreme Court and in February 2016, the Supreme Court stayed the order. In March 2017, the state filed an 18-page affidavit, along with 13 allegedly recent photographs of the DBU, claiming that it was in compliance with India’s animal-welfare laws.