Animal welfare outfits criticise their exclusion

 

With the HC giving two weeks’ ultimatum for the local bodies to form monitoring committee, the civic body set up the committee without including a representative of local animal welfare organisations.

 

As per rules, every local body should have a seven-member monitoring committee comprising representatives from the public health department, animal welfare department, veterinary doctors, district society for the prevention of cruelty to animals and local animal welfare organisations.

 

Member of Kerala State Animal Welfare Boards M. N. Jayachandran said representation from animal welfare group was mandatory.

 

“It’s against rules and even the veterinary surgeon has no role on the committee. The killing of dogs is illegal and the ABC rules explicitly state that the authorities have clearance to kill only dogs having an incurable disease or severely wounded. This committee is responsible for giving approval for mercy killings objectively,” he added.

 

However, civic authorities claimed that it’s not mandatory to include local animal welfare organisation. 

“We have SPCA member on the monitoring panel. We formed it soon after the HC judgement,” said the official.

 

People for Animal (PFA)  Kerala chapter trustee Latha Indira said that the matter would be taken up seriously. "We were not informed about the committee formation," she said.