Lok Sabha Question No. 3572 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-10
Subject: Abandoning of Animals
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Rameshbhai Lavjibhai Dhaduk

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3572

TO BE ANSWERED   ON   10 TH  DECEMBER, 2019

## ABANDONING OF ANIMALS

## 3572. SHRI RAMESHBHAI LAVJIBHAI DHADUK:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether some cattle rearers abandon their milch animals and bulls as stray  animals when they can no longer produce milk and bear the burden of load which causes the threat of crop damage to farmers and road accidents as these stray animals roam the streets; and
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  take  any  concrete  steps  to  solve  this problem in cooperation with the State Government?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a)    There  are  media  reports  as  to  the  cattle  rearers  abandon  their  milch  cattle  and  bulls  as  stray animals when they can no longer produce milk and bear their burden of load. Reports have also been received from various media that the stray animals are causing the threat of crop damage and road accidents.

(b)  As  per  the  Article  246(3)  of  the  Constitution  of  India  in  List  II  of  Seventh  Schedule,  the Preservation,  protection  and  improvement  of  stock  and  prevention  of  animal  diseases,  veterinary training and practice are under State list on which the State has exclusive power to make laws for such State or any part thereof with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List II of the Seventh Schedule.   Further, as per Article 48 of the Constitution of India State shall endeavour to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and shall, in particular, take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.

As  per  the  Eleventh  Schedule  of  Constitution  of  India,  the  state  may  endow  Panchyats  to establish  and  run  the  Cattle  Pounds  (Kanji  Houses)/  Gaushala  Shelters(community  assets).  Many States are establishing the Gaushalas and Shelter houses for control of Stray Cattle.

Further, as per Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, it is the duty of every person having care or charge of any animal to take all reasonable measures to ensure the well being of  such animal and to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain and sufferings. Section 11(1) (h) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 provides that it is a cruelty, if any person, being the owner of (any animal) fails to provide such animal with sufficient food, drink or shelter  and as per the Section 11 (1)(i) it is a Cruelty, if any person, without reasonable cause, abandons any animal in circumstances which tender it likely  that it will suffer pain by reason or starvation, thirst and it is also  a  punishable  offense  under  PCA  Act,  1960.  The  Provisions  of  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to Animals Act, 1960 and Rules framed thereunder need to be implemented by the State Governments.

The  Animal  Welfare  Board  has  issued  advisory  on  stray  animals  to  all  the  State  Governments/ Union Territories vide letter dated 12 th July,  2018.  The  Gaushalas  are  established to take care of stray animals. The Animal Welfare Board encourages such organizations by providing grant-in-aid for taking care of the animals with the budget provided by the Government of India. Apart from the aforementioned actions, many state governments are also taking various actions for rehabilitating stray cattle.

The  Central  Government  is  also  implementing  sex  sorting  semen  technology  for  artificial insemination which will produce only female animals and is being implemented through Artificial Insemination  Technology  for  which  the  Central  Government  is  providing  semen  straws  at subsidized rates. This effort will reduce the number of male animals which are left by the farmers.

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