In Jammu and Kashmir, keeping in view the searing heat wave, District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya has prohibited the use of draught and pack animals during the day between noon and 3 p.m. The order has been issued by invoking the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965. Under these acts and rules, draught animals are defined as those ‘working animals’ that are made to pull loads, while pack animals are those that carry loads on their backs. These provisions are invoked annually as preventive measures to minimise the potential of inflicting injury, which may even result in the death of these animals when used for drawing vehicles or carrying loads in temperatures exceeding 37 degrees C.
The prohibition, coming into force with immediate effect, will remain in place for two months or until it (the prohibition) is withdrawn. Violations attract stringent action under the provisions of animal welfare legislation. Notably, the rules related to draught and pack animals also specify that no person will use or cause to be used any animal for drawing any vehicle or carrying any load for more than nine hours in a day in aggregate, or for more than five hours continuously without a break for rest for the animal.
Disclaimer: This press release is sourced from News On AIR, Prasar Bharti and Press Information Bureau India (PIB).
