Pet animals rescued in Bengaluru city, 20 shops asked to close down

BENGALURU: As many as 1,344 individuals of 16 species were rescued by Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB) during inspections carried out in multiple locations in Bengaluru city from various pet shops and notices were served on 44 shops over non-compliance to the Pet rules. Besides, 20 Pet shops have been issued notices for closure.

The inspection from KAWB came after a complaint from Humane Society International in December 2022 about illegal pet shops in Bengaluru city operating in violation of Pet Shop Rules. 

The BBMP veterinary doctors visited the locations and asked the owners of Pet’s shop to register and conduct the business as per rules but nothing substantial happened.

Accordingly, a joint team of Karnataka Animal Welfare Board, squads from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) veterinary department, police department and the staff of Animal Husbandry department in seven teams inspected multiple locations on Wednesday in Bengaluru city where animals are kept and sold.

The team found violations like keeping the animals in overcrowded and unclean cages, displaying unweaned puppies for sale, animals kept without access to food or water and not attending to the injuries and infection in animals. In addition to the violations the inspecting teams also detected that Pet shops were operating without any licence.

Among the exotic birds rescued during the inspection include 94 African parrots, Partridge-12, 302-Love Birds, 3- African Crows, 389-Finches and among the domestic birds rescued were 196-Pigeons, Rabbits-108, Ducks-11, Hamsters-38, Dogs-34, Cats-12, Mice-19 and others. The rescued pets will be kept under the custody of recognized facilities in accordance with law.

Aswathi, a member of KAWB appealed to the public to verify and buy especially pups minimum 45-days old and from KAWD registered breeders and pet’s shops and also suggested adopting pets from animal shelters, specifically India dogs #AdoptDontShop.