“Very Sorry State Of Affairs”: AP High Court Directs Collectors Of Two Districts To File Report Showing Measures To Prevent Cruelty To Cattle

In a recent PIL filed before the Andhra Pradesh High Court by the Animal Rescue Organization, the Court taking note of numerous instances where animals (cattle) are dying during transit, has directed the Collectors of East Godavari District and Kakinada District to file detailed reports showing measures taken in accordance with Government Order 23 of 2015 to ensure safe transport of animals.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Raghunandan Rao noted:

“Photographs have been annexed by the petitioners which reflect a very sorry state of affairs. The photographs reflect number of dead animals in the cattle marketing area are being handled by cranes and other heavy machinery. Some of the photographs annexed with the petition also reflect dilapidated state of the fodder area as also the water troughs which contain no water. Even the covered sheds seem to be totally inadequate considering the large number of animals that are seen to be accommodated in the cattle market area.”

In 2015, the petitioner organization had filed a similar PIL praying for the safety of animals during transit. The Court noting the need for a regulation convened a meeting and drafted an action plan to be adhered to by all those in the line of duty of transporting animals. This Action Plan, in the same year was issued as the GOms. No. 23.

The GO mandates a Shandy Level Monitoring Committee(SLMC) to ensure the provision of ramps, CC cameras, proper arrangements of feeding, Drinking water & shed for animals, GPS in transport vehicles, partition in vehicles as per specification, registration of the animal etc. The GO also restricts the owner of the animal from selling the animal before it reaches a certain age.

In the present PIL, the petitioner organization prayed for strict enforcement of the GO. It placed on record photographs showing the pathetic way in which animals were being transported, leading to the death of many animals.

Notice has been issued to the other respondents and the matter was posted in July.

“Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners would submit that in the first instance, the Collector of Kakinada District i.e., respondent No.17 as also the Collector of East Godavari District i.e., respondent No.18 be directed to file reports as to the manner in which the G.O.Ms.No.23 has been implemented and to reflect the steps which will be taken by the concerned SLMCs to give effect to the spirit of G.O.Ms.No.23. Let a detailed affidavit be filed by respondents No.17 & 18 along with a comprehensive report,” Court ordered.

Case Title: Animal Rescue Organization another Vs. The State Of Andhra Pradesh and Others

Case no.: WP(PIL)93 of 2024

Counsel for petitioner: K S Murthy, Senior Counsel a/w. Ponnada Sree Vyas

Click Here To Read/Download Order