The dog show held in Dehradun recently may have elicited attention and business but an activist has alleged that it was blatantly illegal. In a letter to the Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board secretary, animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi has stated that the dog show organised by Doon Valley Kennel Club on Sunday was held in violation of the Performing Animals Registration Rules 2001 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960. She states that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules 2017 have been promulgated under the PCA Act 1960 which mandates all breeders to register themselves with the State animal welfare board. “I have already approached the High Court of Uttarakhand against the inaction of the Uttarakhand State Animal Welfare Board and Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) of all districts in registering and regulating the breeding and trade of dogs. The high court had sought responses from the Uttarakhand AWB and SPCAs. In the replies it has been claimed that efforts for implementation of the PCA Act (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules 2017 are being undertaken. However, not a single case has been booked against any dog breeder in Uttarakhand, given the fact that not even one of them is registered as per the prescribed rules so far. Rampant illegal breeding and trade of dogs is ongoing all over Uttarakhand, nullifying the State Government’s efforts and investment in the dog population control programme undertaken by the Urban Development department.At the dog show in Dehradun, more than 300 dogs including puppies of diverse range of breeds were displayed.
Stalls had been set up to trade in puppies of several dog breeds. Such dog shows are essentially a viable means for dog breeders to promote their business among the general public.
It is disappointing to note that till date, no action has been taken by the Uttarakhand AWB against such illegal dog shows organised by Doon Valley Kennel Club.
This amounts to connivance of the state authorities with dog breeders in violation of law,” stressed Maulekhi. She has requested the AWB secretary to issue show cause notice to the event organisers and management of the venue. Strict action should also be taken against dog breeders in Uttarakhand to whom notices have been issued by the board in the past. “While I am happy to assist the state government and Uttarakhand AWB in any manner possible to implement the rules, in case of total inaction and encouragement to such illegal activities by the state, I shall be constrained to bring the matter to the notice of the court,” she stressed.
