Hyderabad: Animal rights activists have expressed concern over a number of violations of law and issues faced by pet owners and utter violation of Transport of Animal Rules, 1978.
The transport of animal rules states that animals be transported in prescribed containers that are certified by a qualified veterinary surgeon. However, both government and private vehicles transport animals in cramped and stressful environments such as in the luggage boot of buses.
Akhil Kumar, an animal rights activist, said that around 300 puppies of various breeds are transported from Bengaluru regularly in private and RTC buses.
He said, “During the 10-hour journey, the animals are not even provided food or water. Most of them either develop chronic illnesses or die of suffocation. There is serious under-reporting of such instances by the concerned officials.”
Another life-threatening issue that pet owners claim to face is the rampant quackery in veterinary services. Doctors in public hospitals are either not available or they route the pet owners to their private clinics, which charge exorbitantly and their treatment gives no relief to the animals.
Recently, a dog in the city suffered second-degree burns while undergoing a routine surgery in a private veterinary clinic. The dog, it is said, cried for 18 hours in agony. An FIR has been filed against the medical practitioner involved, yet no action has been taken so far, said a veterinary government official.
Sunanda Mishra, a MNC employee and dog owner, recalled her ordeal of her visits to one such private clinic. She said, “For a routine check-up the general charge is Rs 600. For a bath, they charge around Rs 1,000. Pet care is getting expensive by the day.”
Deven Baheti, animal-rescuer and activist, said, “There is a significant shortage of qualified veterinary practitioners in both public and private hospitals."
“Out of roughly 70 pet shops, only six have valid licenses. There are several private pet clinics that are functioning illegally. The legalisation and registration of these pet shops and clinics are held over by the state animal welfare board. Our hands are tied," said a senior GHMC official, requesting anonymity.
