Very Important And Sensitive Issue: Calcutta High Court Issues Notice To State On Plea Flagging Breeding, Sale Of Pets In Unregistered Shops

The Calcutta High Court issued notice on a plea seeking a report on the implementation of rules such as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and in particular the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding & Marketing) Rules, 2017 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018.

The petitioner stated that despite there being comprehensive rules issued in 2017 and 2018, pets such as dogs were being sold through unregistered shops across the state of West Bengal.

"Dogs are being sold like vegetables by these unregistered shops," the counsel contended before a division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya.

Upon hearing the counsel's submissions, the Chief Justice also recalled coming across videos of dogs being displayed for sale at an open market and expressed concern over the issue.

"These people (sellers) appear to be combing the dogs throughout the day. It seems like they are combing thems so hard that the skin might come off," the CJ recalled.

Thus, upon finding merit in the petitioner's submissions, the Court issued notice to the state and directed them to file report on or before the next date of hearing.

Case: CAPE Foundation v State of West Bengal

Case No: WPA(P) 381 of 2024

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