The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Jairoop Riar and another individual seeking various reliefs on the grievance that animals are being treated cruelly in violation of the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Rules framed thereunder.
The Court of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel noted that it is not disputed at the Bar that there is Animal Welfare Board of India constituted under Section 5 of the Act and the Rules framed, which can very well be approached by the petitioners for redressal of their grievance raised herein, especially, in regard to use of a drug, namely, oxytocin for increasing milk yield of cow/cattle.
The petitioners had sought various reliefs under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Rules framed thereunder, specifically regarding the use of oxytocin to increase milk yield in cows and cattle.
The court directed the petitioners to file fresh representations along with a copy of the petition and annexures before the Animal Welfare Board of India, Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Chandigarh.
These authorities are required to look into the grievance, provide sufficient opportunity to the petitioners, and pass a speaking order within 60 days of receiving the certified copy of the order.