The report was prepared after the Animal Welfare Board of India had approached the commission and sought its view over the issue earlier.
Breeding of pets and fishes for aquarium in quick succession for commercial purpose is 'cruelty' and against the welfare of the animals, the Law Commission of India said and suggested the Centre to make rules to stop such practices and the traders should also face the legal consequences.
In its 261 report, submitted to the ministry of law on Friday, the apex law panel said there is a “Need to Regulate Pet Shops and Dog and Aquarium Fish Breeding” and observed “pet shops and breeders violate provisions of animal welfare laws with impunity.”
The report was prepared after the Animal Welfare Board of India had approached the commission and sought its view over the issue earlier.
According to representations received by the law commission from animal rights and animal welfare organisations across the country, India has a pet trade estimated to have an annual turnover of several thousand crore rupees, and growing at a fast pace every year. However, the business remains largely unregulated. This is due to absence of rules in this regard under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
The Animal Welfare Board said that there are thousands of breeders and pet shops existing in the country and there are no regulations protecting the animals. The Board alleged that animals are kept in terribly inhumane conditions. Puppies are drugged to prevent them from crying, large birds are stuffed into small cages and fish become stressed and sometimes die because of confinement, crowding, contaminated water and unnatural temperatures.
The report also highlighted de-beaking birds, docking the tails of dogs, selling unweaned pups, and de-clawing kittens. Poor conditions in pet shops and a lack of basic veterinary care also put the general human public at increased risk of contracting diseases transmitted through animals.
"…The Central government must seriously take cognisance of the issue and regulate such trade and breeding practices,” said the six member commission headed by Justice A P Shah, retired Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
According to the commission, the rules on pet shops, dog breeding and aquarium fish breeding have been drafted in consultation with stakeholders and lying pending with the concerned ministry since 2010 but they are not yet came to force.
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