July 3rd 2020 is a very significant day in the history of animal welfare in the country. The north east state of Nagaland has banned the sale of dog meat. The state government announced a complete ban on the sale of dog meat in the state. Though this historical decision has been welcomed by the animal welfare groups but regulating the ban won’t be an easy task for the government. Because the dog meat is a part of the food habit practiced by the Nagas (mostly) since the time of their forefathers. It should be noticed here that the hilly state enjoys a special status given by the constitution of India under article 371 (a). This provision exempts the state of all the animal protection and welfare laws ruled in the whole country. It gives it a special status to practice its own customary law. Yet this decision is a shining hope in the fight of ending the cruelty to animals in the country.
Don’t forget ‘vinayaki’
Brutality towards animals has become a part of practice in our society. Sometimes the tradition, compulsion, and even the essential requirement is given as the reason. How can we forget the case of Vinayaki.
The pregnant elephant helplessly standing in the velliar river of kerala awaiting for her death. The widely shared photo had shaken the consciousness of millions. Vinayaki had eaten a pineapple filled with firecracker which exploded in her mouth and severely injured her. While no one intentionally fed her that fruit but filling the fruit with explosive is a local practice by farmers in order to protect their crops from wild animals. In excruciating pain, she died with her unborn calf.
Animal welfare laws
The cruelty to voiceless is being done by humans since ages. Various national and international organisations are working for the welfare of animal reforms. In India the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals act came in 1960 which criminalizes cruelty to animals. Many other subsequent laws also came in order to restrict the use of performing animal, animal slaughtering and experimentation. In year 2014 India became the first country in Asia to ban all testing of cosmetics on animals and the import of cosmetics tested on them.
The laws which we should keep in mind:
- It is a criminal offence to beat or confine animal in cages with inadequate space.
- Feeding poisonous food to stray animals is a crime and if one gets caught doing so he can be charged under section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.
- Maiming, injuring or killing the animals in cruel manner is also illegal, and doing so can land anyone in jail for five long years.
Sadly, despite such strict laws cruelty towards the innocent animals is still being done and only in rare cases the culprits get punished. It’s high time that we rectify the wrongs that have been done to the voiceless and give them their due. We should remember what Mahatama Gandhi had said once that, ‘‘the greatness of a nation and its progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’’
Eduindex News 