Activist buys 32 bullocks, saves them from slaughter

The city’s out-of-work bullock population may not end up in the abattoir after all. The president of an animal rights organisation bought more than 30 animals that have been banned by the controller of rationing from transporting kerosene. Fizzah Shah, the head of In Defence of Animals, has also readied a public interest litigation (PIL) to challenge the ban.

Bullock carts have been used for transporting kerosene to dealers in Mumbai for decades. The controller issued an order prohibiting the practice on January 31 following a petition by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in the Bombay High Court. The petition sought to only ease the workload of bullocks, but the controller imposed the blanket ban.

The diktat made the animals a liability for their owners, who then decided to sell them to slaughterhouses. Till Wednesday, Shah had saved 32 of these animals. “I have erected a proper shed for them at my farmhouse in Virar East. I have also hired people to take care of them,” she said. “The bullocks have been kept in a natural environment, and they appear to be happy.”

Shah said that she was horrified by the prospect of bullocks ending up in the abattoir after helping their owners earn a living for years. “I realised that the only way to save them was to purchase them from their owners,” she said.

Shah will file her PIL against the ban in the coming weeks. Animal lover Ajay Marathe will join her in the legal fight.

“My organisation will also intervene in the ongoing petition filed by PETA. The matter will come up for hearing on March 15,” she said. Animal rights activists say the State should issue directives for proper care of bullocks instead of banning their use for transporting kerosene and other goods.

“We have been campaigning for years. We now hope the High Court takes cognizance of the situation, and orders rehabilitation of the animals,” Dr Manilal Valliyate, the director of PETA India’s veterinary affairs, had told Mirror earlier.

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=2012030920120309020321300ff676d68

Smuggled turtles sent back home to India

Going home: A government official displays three of 19 smuggled Indian star turtles being returned to their original habitat on Thursday. Officials have seized at least 47 Indian star turtles that were smuggled through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport since November last year. JP/Multa Fidrus

The Indonesian government repatriated 19 star tortoise (Geochelone elegans), smuggled into the country through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in November 2011, back to their original habitat in India on Thursday.

“The turtles will fly with Malaysian Airlines to India this evening. We will see them off along with customs officers, airport security, officials form the Forestry Ministry and animal rights activists from International Animal Rescue,” said Musyaffak Fauzi, head of the airport quarantine center.

According to Musyaffak, as many as 61 land turtles were smuggled into the country on Nov. 7 by an unidentified foreigner and were confiscated by customs officers after they were left at terminal 2. Forty-seven of the turtles were identified as Indian star tortoises, but 28 of the protected species died on arrival at the airport.

Customs officers handed down the smuggled turtles to the quarantine center for further handling. 

“This is the first ever animal repatriation from Indonesia to other countries under international cooperation. We have several times received repatriation of wild animals from another country,” he said.

He said the smuggling of animals from overseas into the country violated the 1992 Law on Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantines and the 1990 Law on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation.

He said that the robust international market on animal trafficking, which reached up to US$180 billion per year, had triggered the rampant trafficking and smuggling of protected species to and from Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Puja Utama, head of animal distribution control at the Forestry Ministry said that the global population of the Indian star tortoise was about 32,500.

“But if illegal animal trafficking continues, sooner or later the species will be on the brink of extinction,” he said. 

He added that in the domestic market, the price of a big Indian star tortoise measuring between 10 and 15 centimeters was tagged at Rp 30 million ($3,296) while the small one measuring less than 10 centimeters was normally sold between Rp 8 million and Rp 10 million.

Distillers mix beer and dolphins in Bihar

Can there be some link between beer and dolphins? The world's best known distillers - Molson-Coors and Cobra - have not only set up a joint venture to set up a brewery plant for the manufacture of beer in Patna's outskirts in Bihar, but are also working at plans to create awareness to save the gangetic dolphins.

Of the small number of 2500-odd of these fresh water dolphins that survive in South Asia, a substantial number (estimated 1500) are said to live in the river-bed of the Ganga that courses along Bihar's cities including Bhagalpur, Patna and Gaya.

Ganga pollution caused by the indiscriminate dumping of fertilizers, pesticides and industrial effluents are threatening the survival of these rare species of dolphins – India's national aquatic animal.

"Our business venture in Bihar is not just about creating opportunities and jobs. It is also about addressing environmental and social concerns," Lord Karan Bilimoria, member of the British House of Lords and proprietor of the Cobra Beers told HT.

"I have some plans (on saving the dolphins), which I will shortly be discussing with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and other key members of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF),"  Bilimoria said.

Spin-off effects of Bilimoria's Bihar project are prospects of a multi-fold increase in the cultivation of high quality barley. Odisha has five breweries. Bihar is likely to have the double number of breweries in coming years. With increased demand, barley will evidently be a much sought after commodity. 

Bihar seems positioned as India's breweries hub, with the Molson-Coors-Cobra JV exploring possibilities of setting up more units.

Other companies wanting to set up units in the state include the United Brewaries and the Danish beer company (Carlsberg).

Beer consumption in Bihar is presently half a litre per person per year as against the India average of one and a half litres per person per year.

In China, the consumption is 35 litres per person per year – approximately twenty times higher than India. But industry estimates say that this gap will substantially reduce in the coming years.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Patna/Distillers-mix-beer-and-dolphins-in-Bihar/Article1-822249.aspx

US seeks talks on Indian ban on American poultry

Accusing India of imposing trade restrictions by invoking unjustified animal health concerns to ban American poultry meat and chicken egg imports, US has sought consultations with India before taking the issue to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"India claims that this trade ban is aimed at preventing avian influenza, but it has not provided scientific evidence in line with international standards on avian-influenza control," United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk said Tuesday.

Consultations are the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process and parties are encouraged to agree to a solution at this stage, he said and "If the matter is not resolved through consultations, the US may request the establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel."

"India's ban on US poultry is clearly a case of disguising trade restrictions by invoking unjustified animal health concerns," he said asserting that "The United States is the world's leader in agricultural safety and we are confident that the WTO will confirm that India's ban is unjustified."

"Opening India's market to American farmers will promote jobs here at home, while also providing Indian consumers with access to high quality, safe US products," Kirk said.

Since at least February 2007, India has formally banned imports of various agricultural products from the US, supposedly to prevent outbreaks of avian influenza in India, USTR said.

Over the last few years, the US has repeatedly asked India to justify its claim that a ban on products from the United States is necessary, he said. "To date, India has not provided valid, scientifically-based justification for the import restrictions."

While the WTO explicitly recognizes member right to adopt regulations to protect human, animal, or plant life or health, it also requires them to take certain steps to ensure that such regulations are not merely a cover for protectionism, USTR said.

"India appears to have acted inconsistently with its WTO obligations in this case," he said claiming, "In particular, India's ban does not appear to be supported by scientific evidence or a valid risk assessment."

Passion for pets

Animals need no charity from man, what they need is our love and attention. Pradeep Kumar Nath, a dog-lover from Vizag tells us more

“For a little love and a morsel of food the dog almost pledges its life to you. Which other animal will do that?” Asks Pradeep Kumar Nath, who’s known in Vizag for his love for animals. He runs some animal shelters and a hospital. Pradeep is a founder of ABC India (Animal Birth Control) and is also the founder-president of Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals Member, AP State Animal Welfare Board.

Pradeep is no ordinary dog lover. He champions their cause. As a manager in a scheduled bank, he created controversy by walking into the bank with a couple of street dogs at his heels. The rule that animals are not allowed inside bank was for others. And wherever he got transferred his fame or defame as you view it preceded him and many tried to stall his posting to the new branch for fear of it becoming an extended canine shelter! He later quit service to dedicate himself to the animal welfare. It has been 16 years since he and his wife have given their days to animal welfare. Four criminal cases have been slapped against him. He gets abused and has often been threatened for creating ‘nuisance.’ “But I keep doing what I believe is my mission—bring succour to the poor animals.”

Today Pradeep and his wife live for animals. They make 80 packets of food every day and feed the street dogs. has its own pet hospitals and shelters.

“I have converted many ossified dog haters including my father to dog lovers, ,” says Pradeep smiling as he recalls his feats.

“My dad could not stand the sight of a dog. He would kick it and curse it. One day I put a baby Pomeranian on his desk. With its button eyes and white coat it looked like a tennis ball with two eyes. He took to it and fondled it. When it died, my dad could not control his tears!

Q & A

What is meant by ethical treatment of a pet?

Animals need no charity from man. The most tragic part is that many rich people buy exotic dogs. At the first chance of the animal contacting even a simple skin disease or old age they abandon the animals. About 30 per cent of street dogs we find today are pedigree dogs thus abandoned. What a cruelty! Culling or driving out street dogs, which are essentially Indian, is not the solution. Neuter and vaccinate them and leave the dogs back from where they were picked up. Dogs have a high sense of propriety over the area they grew up in. They won’t allow other dogs to come that part. So leaving them in the same place not only ensures their well-being but they also save you from varied marauders.

Could adoption be a part of the solution?

It is. But by itself, it is not. Every residential colony could adopt a few dogs and rear them. They will guard you free of cost.

Who do you think do most harm to pets?

Pet dealers. They are the pe­r­p­etrators of crime against pets. They breed and cross br­­eed the dogs to make money. And, they have no respect for the law

What is the remedy?

GHMC and other municipalities have powers to impose a license fee on pets. They are not doing this. Today, the so-called pet lovers ill-treat animals as they yap through the night disturbing people around. You know, if a neighbour complains of pets making noise the corporation can impound the animal and penalise the owner. In India people do not assert their rights.

How to behave with a dog

Don’t walk into a nursing mother dog.

Don’t ever run when a dog barks at you.

If you are drunk and walk unsteadily the dog will protest. Don’t attack it, walk as steady as possible.The only language a dog knows is barking. Don’t fret every time it barks. Give it a command to stop. It will obey. It’s only trying to get your attention.

Canine fact file

Street dog brings security to your area. Dogs are territorial creatures and don’t allow new dogs into their areas. This also helps keep at bay dogs with diseases and chase away rats and other rodents. They also eat up leftover food keeping your area clean. If a street dog is neutered and vaccinated they are the best security against thieves and burglars. Trained street dogs have proved to be the best guarantee against intrusion or terrorism.

Which animals are the worst off?

T he cat and bull, says Pradeep. Cats are being surreptitiously butchered and used in restaurants while bulls suffer throughout their lives.

http://postnoon.com/2012/03/03/passion-for-pets/34350

Support to Save Chennai cats signature campaign

CHENNAI: International support poured in for Chennai’s cats on a recent online signature campaign titled, ‘Stand up to Chennai’s cat killers’. The campaign, initiated by cat owner Sayanti Mukherji on www.change.org a few weeks ago, has garnered a total of 1,857 signatures till date and was presented to Police Commissioner JK Tripathy recently. This was in an effort to ban the snaring and killing of cats within city limits. The irony was that 1,400 signatures were received from animal lovers overseas and only 400 from India. Sayanti elaborates, “There were posts from people spread as far as the United States, France, Ireland, Austria, UK, Poland, Germany and Slovakia.”

Posted Jane Easton from the UK on the petition page, “India is the heart of the vegetarian world and reveres cows. It shames this amazing country with its ancient civilization to allow such barbaric behaviour. Good people should not stand by and allow a few bad people to commit such deeds.”

Though this might only be the first step to make a change, Sayanti states, “Our discussion with Mr Tripathy was taken very positively.” says Sayanti. A group of seven, including a People for Animals (PFA) representative, attended the meeting with the Commissioner to raise concerns on the cruel culling of cats in the city. 

The problem began when Sayanti, a content writer by profession, found her pet cat Tamasha Tabby missing three months ago. Sayanti recalls, “I returned home from work one day to find Tabby missing.” She continues, “When I asked everybody around, a girl sitting at a tailor shop across the street told me that she had witnessed a man grab him (Tabby) off our apartment wall. This was one of his usual spots to sit on.”

Following this incident, a distraught Sayanti sought out a number of pet owners and animal activists in an attempt to research the frequency of such cases in Chennai. She states, “I found it to be a rampant problem that dates back to over 20 years.” She continues, “But what was more upsetting was the fact that police officials would not take my complaint seriously when I requested them to file an FIR.”

Hence, the idea for the campaign was formed, resulting in 1,857 signatures till date. However, they were informed that the tribal status of the community helped them carry out such acts for their livelihood. In response, a PFA member suggested the organisation’s existing jewellery making programmes as an alternative means of livelihood. 

Sources reveal that with the support of police officals, a meeting with Corporation Commissioner PWC Davidar will be arranged next month. She elaborates, “This is to initiate a joint effort in stopping these killings as well helping this tribal community find a viable alternative income.” Also, as part of their efforts, a PFA member said that they would file a PIL in this regard in an effort to have such cases taken up more seriously.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/support-to-save-chennai-cats-signature-campaign/236129-60-120.html