Lok Sabha Question No. 3967 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Public Awareness and Participation in Animal Welfare
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Shri Gajendra  Singh Patel, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana, Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3967 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TH MARCH, 2025

## PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION IN ANIMAL WELFARE

3967. SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:

SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR:

SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL:

SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:

SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a)  the  steps  being  taken  to  enhance  public  awareness  and  participation  in  animal  welfare initiatives, particularly among school children, as emphasized in the award ceremony;

(b)  the  initiatives  in  place  to  sensitize  law  enforcement  agencies  about  the  importance  of animal  welfare  laws  and  ensure  their  effective  enforcement  in  various  States,  including Amroha of Uttar Pradesh; and

(c)  whether  there  are  any  plans  to  introduce  stricter  regulations  for  pet  ownership  and breeding to reduce the number of abandoned animals on the streets, if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) One of the key functions of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), under Section 9(k) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, is to impart education on the humane treatment of animals and promote public awareness against the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals. This is achieved through various means, including lectures, books, posters,  cinematographic  exhibitions,  and  more.  Various  steps  taken  to  enhance  public awareness and participation in animal welfare initiatives, particularly among school children are placed at Annexure-1.

(b) AWBI is publishing various guidelines, regulations and booklets so as to sensitize the law enforcement authorities on the issues related to animal welfare laws. AWBI also organized the training programmes for the Law enforcement authorities to sensitize them on the issues related to animal welfare laws.

During  this  financial  year,  a  One-day  training  programme  was  conducted  for  the Police Officials on 19.10.2024 at Police Training School, Thanisandra, Bengaluru on Animal Welfare Laws. During this training, sessions on Importance on Animal Welfare, PCA Act,

1960,  Regulations  on  Slaughter  and  Transportation  of  Animals,  ABC  Rules  and  Practical Training and case studies were covered. The subject experts in the field of animal welfare laws and rules delivered their lectures to sensitize the officials of the Police Department. The Superintendent of Police and Principal, Police Training School and his team coordinated in successful conducting of the training programme.

AWBI has published four books to create awareness amongst the State Governments and UTs including Law enforcement authorities as per the details given below:

- i. Law Enforcement Handbook on Animal Welfare Laws
- ii. Animal Law Handbook for Urban Local bodies
- iii. Handbook for Veterinary Officers on Animal Welfare Laws
- iv. Revised Animal Birth Control (ABC) module for Street Dogs Population management, rabies eradication and reducing man-dog conflict.

AWBI, on receipt of complaints regarding cruelty to animals from various parts of the country,  is  taking  up  the  matters  with  the  concerned  State  Governments  and  District Collectors / Magistrates / District Superintendent of police sensitizing them about the existing animal welfare laws for conducting an enquiry to the cruelty matters. The State Authorities are  empowered  to  initiate  appropriate  action  against  the  offenders  meting  out  cruelty  to animals and to take action as per the law.

The  details  of  letters  issued  for  awareness  for  Amroha,  Uttar  Pradesh  are  given  in Annexure-2.

(c) As per Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, it shall be the duty of every  person  having  the  care  or  charge  of  any  animal  to  take  all  reasonable  measures  to ensure  the  well-being  of  such  animal  and  to  prevent  the  infliction  upon  such  animal  of unnecessary pain or suffering.

Also, as per Section 11(1)(i) of the PCA Act, 1960, If any person, without reasonable cause, abandons any animal in circumstances which render it likely that it will suffer pain by reason of starvation or thirst; he shall be punishable, in the case of a first offence, with fine which shall not be less than ten rupees but which may extend to fifty rupees and in the case of a second or subsequent offence committed within three years of the previous offence, with fine which shall not be less than twenty-five rupees but which may extend to one hundred rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with both

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 is 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 in the Seventh Schedule. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of the local bodies to take care of the stray animals and to regularize the process of registration of the Pet Ownership in their respective municipal areas, which will help in monitoring the number of pet animals.

Details of rules notified and advisories issued by the Central Government are placed at Annexure - 3.

*****

## Steps taken to enhance public awareness and participation in animal welfare initiatives, particularly among school children

1. AWBI has been consistently encouraging animal welfare organizations and individuals by nominating  them  as  Honorary  Animal  Welfare  Representative  (HAWR)  to  extend educational  programs  to  schools  by  organizing  activities  such  as  poster  competitions, painting contests,  and essay writing competitions. These  programs  aim  to  foster compassion towards animals and help shape better, more responsible citizens.
2. To support these efforts, AWBI has developed educational modules for school children in two  age  groups:  Class  V-VIII  and  Class  IX-XII.  These  modules  cover  various  topics aimed at raising awareness and sensitizing students about animal welfare. For Classes VVII,  the  subjects  include  Compassion  for  Animals,  Animal  Behavior,  Animal  Cruelty, Responsible Pet Ownership, and Animal Superstition. For Classes IX-XII, the modules cover  more  advanced  topics  like  Veterinary  Help  for  Pet  and  Street  Animals,  Conflict Mitigation, Achievements in Animal Welfare, Animal Welfare and Sustainability, Human Health, and Ahimsa (Culture and Heritage in India). These modules have been circulated to  the  Department  of  Education  in  all  State  Governments  and  UTs  to  ensure  wide dissemination.
3. AWBI has also initiated training programs in schools to ensure that its message reaches young  children  effectively.  In  addition,  regular  seminars,  workshops,  and  awareness programs  conducted  by  State  Governments  and  animal  welfare  organizations  play  a crucial role in sensitizing the public, particularly animal lovers.
4. The  AWBI  regularly  issues  advisories  and  circulars  to  raise  public  awareness  about animal welfare. These advisories are issued during key events such as Animal Welfare Fortnight (January 14 to 30),  World  Animal  Day,  World  Rabies  Day,  humane celebrations  of  Deepavali,  and  during  the  summer  and  winter  seasons  to  emphasize animal welfare concerns.
5. Moreover, AWBI conducts training programs for Honorary Animal Welfare Representatives and issues Colony Animal CareTaker authorization letters to compassionate individuals  who care  for  community  animals  in  their  local  areas.  These efforts  help  in  promoting  the  well-being  of  animals  and  fostering  a  compassionate society.

## Letters issued for awareness for Amroha, Uttar Pradesh

|   S.No. | Date of Complaint   | Subject of Complaint                                                                                                                                                           | Letter to whom                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | 31.05.2022          | Request to take necessary action to save life of stray animals in Amroha                                                                                                       | Letter dated 31.05.2022 was issued to the District Magistrate, Amroha, Uttar Pradesh                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|       2 | 13.04.2024          | Requested to implementation the provisions of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 and AWBI Module to control the population of the street dogs effectively in District Amroha | Letter dated 24.04.2024 was issued to the Member Secretary, Uttar Pradesh State Animal Welfare Board & The Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Gokarnnath Rd, Badshah Bagh, Lucknow and The Municipal Commissioner Municipal Corporation of Amroha |
|       3 | 07.02.2025          | Complaint against the owner of the Pit Bull for attacking and killing a Community Dog in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh                                                                 | Letter dated 04.03.2025 was issued to the Member Secretary, Uttar Pradesh State Animal Welfare Board & The Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Gokarnnath Rd, Badshah Bagh, Lucknow                                                                |

## Details of rules notified and advisories issued by the Central Government

1. The  Central  Government  has  also  notified  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals  (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018 to regulate the illegal breeding of animals and to regulate the sale or trade in pet  animals  respectively.  These  Rules  are  being  implemented  by  the  respective  State Governments and UTs.
2. The AWBI had issued several advisories in relation to stray dogs and pet animals:
- a) Pet Dogs and Street Dogs Circular dated 26.02.2015.
- b) Circular  to  all  DGPs  of  all  States/UTs  regarding  harassment  to  Citizens  showing compassion to animals dated 25-08-2015 and 28.10.2015.
- c) Advisory to initiate necessary action for rescue and rehabilitation of stray animals dated 12-07-2018.
- d) Advisory to identify sufficient number of feeding spots for stray dogs in every district and to properly implement the (AWBI Revised Guidelines on Pet dogs and street dogs) dated 03.03.2021.
- e) Request to properly implement and circulate the standard protocol for the adoption of community animals dated 17.05.2022.
- f) Guidelines for use of Muzzle on Dogs and care of community dogs dated 17.08.2022.
- g) Request to Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Animal Husbandry as well as to  the  Commissioner,  Municipal  Corporation  of  all  Districts  of  all  State/UTs  to implement the provision of ABC Rules, 2023 dated 31.03.2023.
- h) Request  to  all  District  Magistrate  of  all  Districts  of  all  State/UTs  to  implement  the provision of ABC Rules, 2023 dated 30.05.2023.