Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 11 Jul: In a decisive push to curb animal cruelty in the city, a meeting of the District Animal Cruelty Prevention Committee was convened at the Rishiparna Auditorium here today under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Savin Bansal. The meeting also reviewed earlier resolutions, discussed implemented actions and the ongoing initiatives aimed at mitigating cruelty towards animals and strengthening welfare mechanisms.
Speaking on the occasion, District Magistrate Bansal urged the animal welfare organisations, urban bodies, and the police department to work in close coordination to identify and resolve cases of animal cruelty. Stressing that the issue was not limited to physical harm against animals but also involved a larger question of human compassion, he also issued firm directions for the mandatory registration of dog breeders and pet shops. He ordered the Municipal Commissioner, the Executive Officers, and the Chief Veterinary Officer to enforce compliance, mandating that unregistered and unauthorised pet shops operating within city limits be shut down forthwith.
To address illegal operations in the dairy and meat sectors, the DM constituted a committee led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and comprising the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), representatives from the Municipal Corporation and the Food Safety Department. The committee will undertake a detailed survey of unregistered dairies and meat shops functioning in the urban area without proper licences or registration. A deadline of 15 days was set for submission of the findings, following which stringent action would be taken against violators. Further, Bansal instructed the police, Society for Prevention of Animal Cruelty (SPCA) and the Chief Veterinary Officer to hold a separate coordination meeting to quickly resolve field-level implementation challenges related to prevention efforts.
Responding to logistical concerns around the transport and care of injured and unwell animals, the DM significantly approved the deployment of two vehicles and sanctioned the use of manpower from the Provincial Armed Constabulary for their operation and upkeep. He asked the departments concerned to ensure timely arrangements for shelter, vaccination, and treatment of stray and accident-prone animals. He also directed that two new cow shelters for rural zones be readied by next month.
In light of the growing population of stray dogs in urban areas, Bansal also stressed upon intensified sterilisation efforts. He directed the urban local bodies and zila panchayats to relocate stray cattle to recognised cow shelters and ensure safeguards for animals being housed in Kanji Houses, shelters, and goshalas. He emphasised the necessity of running awareness campaigns against cruelty to animals in schools, colleges, and on public platforms to encourage more humane attitudes among citizens.
Among those present at the meeting were Chief Municipal Commissioner Namami Bansal, SDM Apurva, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr SC Joshi, Dr Shailendra, Dr Manjeet Singh, Dr Pooja Pandey, Seema Sharma, PFA’s Gauri Maulekhi, members of the SPCA and other animal welfare organisations.
