Hyderabad: With Eid-al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice around the corner, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued an advisory to all States and union territories to stop the illegal treatment of animals up to Eid-al-Adha. The advisory came in response to an appeal by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
In its advisory, Central government statutory body claimed that as the large numbers of animals are expected to be transported for Eid, the Transport Animals Rules, 1978 is widely violated. The rules prescribe the number of animals that can be transported in a vehicle.
Referring to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, the advisory states, “no person shall slaughter any animal within a municipal area, except in a slaughterhouse recognised or licensed by the authority empowered under the law for the time being in force to do so.”
It pointed out that camels are not permitted to be killed under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s regulation.
Telangana Today quoted PETA India advocacy associate Farhat Ul Ain as saying, “All religions call for compassion and adherence to animal protection laws is simply everyone’s civic duty.” He added that “PETA India asks that all celebrations be held in ways that are kind to animals.”
