Animal welfare activists seek ban on horse carriages along Alibaug beach

Horse carriages are made to ply tourists through waist-deep water, notice sent to collector.

 

Following no movement on their complaint against horse carriages made to ply through waist-deep sea water at Alibaug beach, the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organization (FIAPO) has now sent a legal notice to the District Collector of Raigad on the issue and has asked for a ban on such practices at all beaches in the area.

“Since there was no action taken post our letter to the district collector in February, we have now sent a formal complaint under Section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code so that immediate action is taken,” said Shakuntala Majhumdar, governing body member of FIAPO. “Apart from a ban on the practice near Kolaba fort, this time we have asked for a ban on horse carriages across all beaches in Alibaug,” she said.

The complaint terms the activity as a public nuisance since it puts human life at risk and amounts to cruelty against the animals under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960. “It is an eminent threat to both the horse and people on the carriage. To the horse, because it is forced to pull a heavy load through waist deep sea water and to the people, because in case the horse slips and the carriage falls, it may cause them serious injury, especially to children and the elderly,” said Ambika Hiranandani, FIAPO’s lawyer. The complaint is made under Section 133 of the CrPC as it gives the district magistrate power to ban an activity which he considers public nuisance.

Newsline had reported on February 23 that FIAPO had complained against carriage drivers at Alibaug beach forcing horses to ply through waist deep sea water to ferry tourists to and from Kolaba fort, which is about a kilometer from the beach and becomes accessible by foot during low tide. When Newsline visited the spot, an estimated 30 to 40 such carts were found on the beach with two horses each. Experts said saline water can cause dryness of hoof of the horses leading to lameness and since horses cannot see the depth of water, fatal injuries can take place. Besides, carrying such heavy loads is abusive to them. 

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/animal-welfare-activists-seek-ban-on-horse-carriages-along-alibaug-beach/946691/  

Indian Animal Rights Group Asks Pakistan to Free Monkey

As if Pakistan’s ambassador to India doesn’t have enough challenges to deal with — from Kashmir tensions to the trial of militants involved in the Mumbai attacks to improving trade relations – now another tricky issue has emerged, and it comes in the unlikely form of a monkey named Bob.

Bob, or to use his full name, Bobby, was reportedly “arrested” last week after straying into Pakistan from India. Bobby, astonishingly, hadn’t even bothered to submit the necessary visa paperwork before his little cross-border trip, and now he’s paying a heavy price for presuming that, as an animal, he was free to wander hither and thither however he chose. This lax approach to admin does little to dispel the stereotype that monkeys are irresponsible, or “cheeky.”

At least now, as he sits incarcerated in Bahawalpur Zoo in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Bobby has time to reflect on the errors of his ways, perhaps as he bounces a baseball off the wall of his cell, à la Steve McQueen in “The Great Escape,” though of course, being Indian, he’d have a cricket ball.

Fortunately for the shackled simian, his plight hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations has written a letter to Shahid Malik, Pakistan’s ambassador to India, requesting that the monkey be released back into the wild.

“On behalf of all our member organizations and thousands of supporters we urge you to kindly rehabilitate any trespassing animals in their natural environment and not in the pitiable prisons-zoo,” the letter said, adding “We really hope that you will consider our request and look [into] this issue beyond human territories defined and marked by Humans.”

FIAPO, which describes itself as India’s largest umbrella body of organizations concerned with the protection and welfare of all animals, also put out a press release on the monkey matter, in which Arpan Sharma, the organization’s convenor, said: “We hope that the authorities will do the needful. Let the monkey be a messenger of peace & freedom and not of captivity & confinement.”

A press official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi said he was unaware of FIAPO’s letter. Later, after India Real Time forwarded a copy of the letter to the High Commission, spokesman Khalid Sarwar said the matter is being conveyed to the department of the Pakistan government that deals with animal protection issues.

Hopefully that department won’t be sidetracked by the unconfirmed reports that a flock of birds has just drifted into Pakistani airspace and a trout has been spotted in the Indus River heading straight for the border.

It’s not a one-way street when it comes to these wildlife arrests, if you can call catching an animal “an arrest.” India also, according to reports, took a pigeon into custody last year on suspicion of spying.The pigeon was placed under armed guard and visitors, of course, were strictly forbidden.

Cutting dog's tail can land you in jail

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-21/delhi/30184009_1_tail-awbi-practices

NEW DELHI: Just let your dog's tail be. Cutting it could land you behind bars, as the mutilation of pets for cosmetic reasons has been made an offence.

An advisory sent out by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to veterinary councils , colleges, kennel clubs and other institutions likely to carry out such procedures states that practices like docking of tails and cropping of ears will now be punishable with a fine, or imprisonment, or both.

The AWBI acted on a Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations petition. Traditionally, Doberman, Boxer, Great Dane and Cocker Spaniel pups have been subjected to tail docking, but veterinarians say there is no reason for this practice to continue.

"Earlier, it was believed the tail would be a hindrance when the dogs went hunting, but now docking is done for purely cosmetic purposes. Many owners do not even know why they do this," said Dr Kunal Dev Sharma, veterinarian surgeon at Max Vets Dog and Cat Hospital.

"It all started with Kennel Club of India publishing an article in its magazine, Indian Kennel Gazette, that promoted tail-docking and earcropping practices. Our inhouse research showed these do not have a therapeutic value and were solely for cosmetic purposes," said Khushboo Gupta, media coordinator of FIAPO. Kennel Club of India said it would respond to the charge after a couple of days. 

Just let your dog's tail be. Cutting it could land you behind bars, as the mutilation of pets for cosmetic reasons has been made an offence.

The AWBI advisory states: "The practice of non-therapeutic tail docking and ear cropping is seen in the light of mutilation, which amounts to cruelty to animals as per Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, and is, therefore , a punishable offence." Section 11 of the Act makes violations punishable with a fine of up to Rs 100.

"The violator can also be charged under section 428 of IPC that talks about maiming of animals," said Anjali Sharma , member and legal advisor , AWBI. This section allows for a jail term of up to two years.

'Anna Hazare, please spare the donkeys'

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Anna-Hazare-please-spare-the-donkeys/articleshow/9735050.cms 
 
MUMBAI: While the people's movement against corruption enters a critical stage, the animal activists have urged Anna Hazare to immediately intervene and save the poor donkeys from being harassed at various ongoing rallies. A letter written by Federation of Indian Animals Protection Organisations (FIAPO) has stated that in India there are approximately 1.6 million donkeys which are largely used to do hard labour.

FIAPO has requested Anna Hazare to help stop the further harassment towards animals like donkeys that are being ridiculed by protesters with a bad and cruel sense of humour. A Lucknow based activist, Kamna Trivedi, had posted an update on Facebook stating that she was sickened to see anti-corruption activists dragging a few donkeys at a procession and also slapping the poor animals for no fault of theirs. The donkeys were somehow made out to be ``symbols of corrupt officials and politicians'' at the rallies, which is rather cruel and senseless.

Another Hazare supporter at Mumbai had actually used an elephant to display a giant poster against Corruption, and for the Lokpal Bill. However, elephants have been legally banned from the Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane regions by the Bombay High Court, after it was known that elephants are exploited by their mahouts to beg on the streets.

The full letter of FIAPO addressed to Hazare is below

To

Shri Anna Hazare

Ramlila Maidan

New Delhi

Respected Sir,

I write to you from FIAPO is India's umbrella animal welfare body concerned with the protection and welfare of all animals, with hundreds of members and colleagues across the country. On behalf of our constituency - comprising of several animal protection organisations and thousands of sympathisers - we would like to reiterate that we wholeheartedly support your crusade. Corruption most affects the disempowered and there is perhaps none more disempowered than animals.

During the past few days of your fast, where millions of us have been following you and praying and fighting with you, something very disturbing was brought to FIAPO's attention. A few among millions of your ardent followers, in the heated, emotionally charged environment are disrupting and harming the very essence of your fast - to do away with corruption so that the common man doesn't suffer, common man here being, the oppressed and the voiceless, which, of course, includes the animals of this country.

Recently, while watching a rally held in one part of the country, we noticed that a few people, definitely with good intentions of standing up against corruption, were using donkeys as objects to mock at corrupt officials. This action only serves to encourage the belief that donkeys are objects of ridicule and derision instead of what they actually are - innocent, hard working animals who truly bear the burden of the world on their back with little kindness shown to them.

India is home to approximately 1.6 million donkeys. Donkeys in India have long suffered and have been the objects of scorn because of superstition and ignorance. Since ancient times, they have been victimized for their uncomplaining nature. People who closely work with these animals report that donkeys are very intelligent, cautious, friendly, playful, and eager to learn. In fact, they make great companion animals because of these same characteristics.

The donkeys used in the protest rally were undoubtedly terrified and confused. Imagine being surrounded by lights, cameras and shouting protestors and reporters and not having any understanding of what is happening. Further, the donkeys used in this stunt had no vote in the matter. It is unfair for those who fight corruption and injustice to use animals to garner attention for their campaigns.

We respectfully beseech you to ask your followers not to use animals during protests, rallies or processions.

In fellowship with the cause of eradicating corruption and with deep respect for your personal courage,

Yours sincerely,

Arpan Sharma

Chief Executive Officer

Federation of Indian Animals Protection Organisations.