New Delhi, Sep 27 (PTI) An animal rights body today demanded that Kerala government take stern action against members of the Congress Youth Front (Mani) who had allegedly beaten ten street dogs to death and paraded the streets with dog carcasses, saying it was violation of both constitutional and statutory law.
Humane Society International-India shot off letters to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party MP Shashi Tharoor urging them to issue a statement condemning such killings and promote the implementation of the law as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001.
"The recent spate of killing street dogs in Kerala is a blatant violation of both constitutional and statutory law.
"It is disgraceful that Kerala politicos who are public representatives and are duty bound to safeguard the law of the state have resorted to unlawful killing of street dogs. Such inhuman killing at the hands of politicians will have terrible ramification over the entire state," said N G Jayasimha, HSI India managing director and Member, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
According to reports, the members of youth wing of the Kerala Congress Mani group yesterday beat 10 street dogs to death and paraded in the streets of Kottayam town with the dog carcasses hung on a pole.
"I am writing, therefore, to request you to use your good offices to issue a statement condemning such killings and promote the implementation of the law as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001 so that dog population management can be successfully carried out in an effective manner," Jayasimha wrote in his letter to Gandhi.
He said the Supreme Court in its interim order observed that without doubt there has to be compassion for dogs and they should not be killed indiscriminately.
The apex court also, while directing implementation of ABC rules in letter and spirit, instructed all states and UTs to not resort to any subterfuges in attempt to avoid carrying out their statutory obligations in this regard, he said.
"Our Constitution protects the rights of animals and humans to be treated with dignity and compassion. The street dog issue in Kerala should only be dealt as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the ABC Rules.
"I urge Kerala government and the police to take stern action against the perpetrators for violating the law of the land and ensure that this unlawful killing is stopped at the earliest," he said. PTI TDS AJR RG AJR
