States told to report on plight of circus animals

NEW DELHI: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) -- a central government advisory body -- has directed the states and Union Territories (UTs) to identify the circuses stranded in their respective districts, inspect animals kept by them, and submit a comprehensive report on each such circus to it.

A PETA India statement also said that the Board had directed for information on housing conditions and feeding practices adopted by these circuses amid the nationwide coroanvirus lockdown, and verify Performing Animal Registration Certificates on number and species of animals registered with the AWBI.

The AWBI -- established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 -also shared a list of registered circuses in India, for information and necessary action.

Functioning under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the Board issued the direction on May 22.

In its order, the Board mentioned that number of circuses were stuck across the country and these were unable to ensure the well-being of their animals or provide these animals with food, water, and veterinary care during the lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak, causing them unnecessary suffering.

Citing Section 3 of the PCA Act, the Board said it was the responsibility of the person in charge of an animal to prevent them from experiencing any unnecessary pain or suffering.