Itanagar, Aug 5: The Arunachal Animal Welfare Society organized a two-day awareness programme on public health and animal protection laws in India and the roles of various departments in animal welfare, care and maintenance.
Various laws such as Section 325, BNS and the various Sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Rules framed thereunder were covered during the programme. Cognizability of offences and the importance of taking crimes against animals were seriously stressed upon, as cruelty towards animals has been linked to violence against humans by several research papers as well as cases across the country and the world.
It was emphasised that animal cruelty is directly linked to smuggling and illegal trafficking, health hazards, environmental damage due to air and water pollution as well as general law and order in society. In this direction, a case from Hauz Khas, Delhi was cited, where a man had attacked a dog with a knife and in the pursuant investigation, it was revealed that he was torturing a woman in his house as well.
Thus, crimes against animals are a sign of a mental condition that can extend to violence against vulnerable humans as well and therefore needs to be taken seriously and be reported and taken action against. The importance of coordination between the Jurisdictional Veterinary Officer from the AHD and the Investigating Officer was also highlighted.
Dy SP Chamrak Arun mentioned that the police force learned a lot of practical information about animal protection laws and procedures, including the care & maintenance of case property as well as the cognizability of crimes against animals. Animal protection activists were assured that the police will be supportive in reports of crimes against animals.
Gracing the event, Deputy Commissioner of ICR, Talo Potom mentioned that he had several pets at home and was eager to initiate the formation of the ‘Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (SPCA) with Govt as well as non-Govt executives.
Public health specialist & asst nodal officer (NRCP) Bomto Riram spoke on ‘Zoonosis and One Health’, highlighting the zoonotic diseases and importance of preserving the environment and ensuring the well-being and good health of all animals around us, including pets, community animals & farmed animals. Dr Asher Jesudoss from the Delhi Animal Welfare Board spoke about animal protection laws and the roles of various departments in ensuring animal welfare, care and protection.
The Animal Husbandry department was informed of their mandate for the State Animal Welfare Board as well as declaring a government veterinary hospital as an infirmary for injured and diseased animals as well as case property animals.
The Food Safety officers in the programme were encouraged to create educational programmes for the public on the harmful effects of dog meat consumption as well as the general spiritual, health as well as environmental benefits of moving to a plant-based diet.
The urban local body, IMC, was urged to initiate an Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme to control the population of dogs and cats in its jurisdiction in a prescribed, compassionate and legal manner.
People were educated about the importance of vaccinating themselves after any exposure to bites or scratches by animals and to follow the various laws in place for the protection of animals in India.
Emphasis was laid on the importance of citizens of the state to report crimes and be aware of the various laws that protect animals, as reporting such crimes leads to a safer society for animals as well as humans.
The first day of the programme was conducted jointly by Arunachal Dog and Cat Rescue along with Arunachal Animal Welfare Society at the Police Training Centre (PTC), Banderdewa with more than 800 trainee policemen in attendance.