PAWS-Mumbai Letter to Mumbai Police Proper implementation of animal welfare laws in Mumbai

 Elephant been used for begging and
 children's are teasing it,
Do you think its not very dangerous ?
Pics by Sunish Subramanian Kunju at
Patkar Compund, Gamdevi Road,
Bhandup (West), Mumbai - 400 078.

On 30 September 2009, Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai (PAW-Mumbai) Office have send letter to The Mumbai Police Commissioner & The Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Mumbai and copy of it have been forwarded to Smt. Maneka Gandhi (MP) Chairperson – People for Animals and Shri. D. Rajasekar (IFS) Secretary – Animal Welfare Board of India, Director General of Police - Maharashtra State in regards to Proper implementation of animal welfare laws in Mumbai which include Elephant been used for begging issue.

The brief letter written by PAWS-Mumbai ………………………..

Copy of PAWS-Mumbai Letter send to
various law informants authority PAGE 1

This is to bring to your notice of non-implementation of animal welfare laws by the Police in Mumbai. Action is not being take against the violators by the Police in following cases :

1.       Elephants, which is a Schedule I animal under Wildlife Protection Act, is allowed to enter into the Mumbai City limits.

2.       Elephants are allowed to roam free begging for food and aims in the city.

3.       No action is taken against the horse-handlers who bring them into the city via scores of check-post.

4.       Donkeys are used by political workers to protect against rival politicians. Even crackers are tied and burst on the tails of the donkeys and then too no action is taken by the Police.

 

5.       Stray dogs are beaten by Society members.

6.       Wild and exotic birds are caged and sold at Crawford Market (and many other markets and traffic junction) – right opposite the Police Commissioner’s office.

7.       Animals for butchering are transported into city limits by overloading the carrier vans through traffic check-posts.

8.       Horse-carts ply on our streets through it is illegal. No action is taken against them. Thus the horses are susceptible to accidents.

9.       Monkeys are made to perform and beg at street corners, beaches  and trains

Copy of PAWS-Mumbai Letter send to
various law informants authority PAGE 2

This is also to bring to your notice that tremendous harassment is face by concerned citizens and members of animal welfare organizations from the Police when they bring violations to their notice or when they insist on taking strict action against the law-breakers.

We suggest that the Police force works in close co-ordiation with the officials of the Forest Department on issues related to wildlife trade and well-being of wild animals.

So as an animal welfare NGO we are very much concerned about distress and ill-treatment of animals and mis-treatment of animal-lovers by the Police.

So we request you to direct all your Senior Police Inspectors and their subordinates to stringently enforce the animal protection laws (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport of Animals on Foot) Rules 2001, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Performing Animals Rules, 1973 & 2001) and co-operate with the citizens and NGOs. You may be aware that Article 51-A(g) of our Constitution makes it mandatory upon every citizen (especially the Police) to protection and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creature.

We would appreciate if you would send a copy of the instruction/directives/circular etc. Sent by you to your subordinates instruction them to implement these laws improper spirit.

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