The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has moved an application in the High Court of Delhi seeking direction to implement the provisions of the Prevention & Control of Infectious & Contagious Disease in Animal Act, 2009 & National Action Plan for control & eradication of glanders in horses, mules, ponies, and donkeys in Delhi.
PETA India, in its application, also sought a direction to the Govt of Delhi to test all the horses, mules, ponies, and donkeys in Delhi immediately.
The matter is slated to come up for hearing before the Court next week.
The application said that despite there being a complete ban on plying of horse-drawn carts on roads of Delhi, authorities are brazenly permitting the carts to be plied in Delhi thereby jeopardising not only the safety & security of the residents of the national capital but also undermining the risk, torture & cruelty meted out to the equines.
That entire Delhi is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, which compelled the Govt to lock down the entire country, & the said directions are continuing to date & the virus has created turmoil in the life of the people, the plea said.
It said that the outbreak of another disease like glanders in the horses, mules and donkeys, & its transmission to humans will lead to catastrophe & will create havoc for the people of Delhi.
The petitioner apprehended that if the authorities fail to take timely action in preventing the spread of zoonotic disease, same may lead to the death of not only mute & helpless animals but it may also claim several human lives.
The plea said that concerned authorities instead of testing every horse, mule, donkey being housed & plying in Delhi have closed its eyes towards the approaching zoonotic disease & is not taking any measures to prevent people of Delhi from the outbreak of another life-threatening disease.
Source Link
Picture Source :