Pet-iquette

Q: My neighbour is keeping white pigeons in his house and selling them. Is it legal?
A: Under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, it is illegal to keep or sell any pigeon except the blue rock pigeon. You can file an FIR against him and get him arrested. Many people buy pigeons to eat them. Some buy them to slit their throats and apply the blood on their bodies. Some buy them to maim them and then race them. None of these things are acceptable in civilised society.

Q: My colony guard hit a street dog with iron bar and he died. What action can I take against him?
A: This is a very serious offence under section 428 & 429 of IPC and under section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The man will have to be arrested and can get two years imprisonment if proved guilty. So, hurry up and file the complaint. Talk to the head of his firm and have him sacked to begin with. Today it is a dog, tomorrow it will be human being.

Q: I feed 10 street dogs of my colony but some people object. Is it illegal to feed dogs?
A: No, feeding dogs is not an offence under any law. In fact, there is a Delhi High Court judgement saying that dogs must be fed and designated areas must be provided in each colony for their feeding.. Anyone who objects can be prosecuted under harassment, intent to disturb the peace, Section 428 /429 of the IPC and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 if they hurt the animal.

Q: My dog is a 9-year-old male, very active, and weighs healthy. His tongue is pale bluish white verging on a pinkish colour. He often breathes heavily. Is something wrong?
A: Most dogs have pink tongues making it fairly easy to check for symptoms of mouth disorders. While many mixed breed dogs have coloured speckles on their tongues, black spots that were not previously there can be a sign of melanoma, a type of cancer. Lighter (often white) marks on your dog’s tongue can indicate a reaction to a toxin or allergen. A bluish tongue colour in dogs can indicate a condition called cyanosis — which essentially means there is a shortage of oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis is usually noticeable in the gums and other mucous membranes and can be a symptom of a number of underlying causes, including heart disease, respiratory disease and exposure to a toxin. I recommend a veterinary examination to determine if the discoloration is due to cyanosis. The fact that you suggest your dog is often breathing heavily might suggest that he has a respiratory problem.