Planned Kila Raipur events involving animals must be cancelled Says PETA, Animal Welfare Board

Ludhiana Administration Urged to Cancel Planned Events

Ludhiana, January 28, 2015: Shortly after letters were sent by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and the central government body Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) which operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change calling on the Ludhiana District Collector, Commissioner of Police and other officials to take immediate action to stop planned events involving animals at Kila Raipur, it has been reported that bullock cart races will not be part of the itinerary.

PETA is now calling on officials to stop the dog races, horse-cart races, sheep fights, and daredevil stunts involving animals that are also reportedly planned to be held at Kila Raipur in the Ludhiana District of Punjab from 28 January to 1 February 2015. The Punjab Department of Animal Husbandry also sent a letter to the Grewal Sports Association informing them about bullock cart races being illegal The planned events would violate several laws, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960 which makes it illegal to incite animals to fight and to cause animals suffering, a Supreme Court ruling against causing animals to fight, and the Performing Animals Rules which require anyone who wishes to use animals in performances to obtain prior permission from the Animal Welfare Board of India.

"India's laws reflect that spectacles like races and fights – which commonly subject animals to fear, beatings, whippings, broken legs another injuries– have no place in modern society", says PETA India Director of Veterinary Affairs Dr. Manilal Valliyate. "PETA India is calling on the authorities to spare animals’ needless suffering – it's as easy as simply upholding the law."

In a judgment on 7 May 2014, the Supreme Court of India directed the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and state governments to "take steps to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on the animals" and also stated that the AWBI and governments must protect the "five freedoms" of animals: freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; freedom from fear and distress and freedom to express normal behaviour. Point no 77 on page 97 of the judgment reads: “We, therefore, hold that AWBI is right in its stand that Jallikattu, Bullock-cart Race and such events per se violate Sections 3, 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(m)(ii) of PCA Act.” Point 77 (10) on page 99 of the Supreme Court judgment states: “The Governments would see that if the provisions of the PCA Act and the declarations and the directions issued by this Court are not properly and effectively complied with, disciplinary action be taken against the erring officials so that the purpose and object of PCA Act could be achieved.” Point 77 (5) on page 98 of the Supreme Court judgment states “AWBI is also directed to ensure that the provisions of Section 11(1)(m)(ii) scrupulously followed, meaning  thereby, that the person-in-charge or care of the animal shall not incite any animal to fight against a human being or another animal.”