In accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act, the high court has directed that all shops buying and selling pet animals and birds in the State should be closed within a period of 15 days.
Animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi had filed a PIL in the high court stating that shops selling pet animals and birds in the state are violating Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules.
These shops are being run without registration with the creatures for sale being kept in confined spaces and care not being accorded to their diet and health. Hearing the petition, the high court division bench directed all district magistrates and local body officers concerned to strictly enforce the law.
The animal husbandry department veterinarians were also directed to make periodic visits to pet shops to ascertain observance of the law. The division bench also clarified that no shop will sell any pet animal or bird without providing a valid receipt.