Cruelty Prevention ? The SAWB in Karnataka has yet to have its first  meeting. SO: WHO do you call in case of any animal cruelty? No one knows. Us neither. Creed the Rottweiler above was found abused & abandoned with half his head eaten by maggots. He was saved, but most get lost in system.

The lack of a Karnataka State Animal Welfare Board (or the SAWB) has been responsible for much cruelty and breakage of the  central Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) laws in our state. The public as well as animal welfare activists have been insisting on the  mandatory SAWB for the last 3 years and several petitions both online as well as in the form of a PIL have been initiated (bit.ly/sawbi & bit.ly/BucketteList ). It is due to this pressure that the effort was finally made to set up the KAWB (Karnataka Animal Welfare Board)  in September 2019. The opacity of this SAWB has been a mystery and its time to get busy and effective. We need to make the KAWB accountable to the animals they protect and to its state citizens. 

Animals are still suffering in Karnataka state, despite excellent national laws to protect them.  Citizens have been increasingly unhappy about the dismissive and lethargic attitude to the SAWB set up and functioning and their voices are now impossible to ignore as are the laws in place.   In order to move forward with maximum impact and effectiveness,  the SAWB bylaws  must be made clear as is the composition and subcommittees – or the KAWB can once again wind down due to lack of meeting, quorum  and ownership, just as they did the last time. There must be accountability and continuity in the KAWB Executive Board as the bureaucrats and politicians do change portfolios and this affects success and continuity.  In addition, an informal citizen support group like ACT (AHVS-Citizens Task Force)  set up to support KAWB is welcome as it can  can only help and achieve direction as a citizen arm . Our PowerPoint is enclosed. 
 
Points to discuss at first meeting so KAWB is transparent, effective, swift and accountable:
 
1.      Why has there been no meeting to date from its set up in Sept/Nov 2019? Legal updates Yet to be given to High Court on PIL queries 
2.      Status on veterinary clinics and hospitals, esp Queens Vet Hospital etc
3.      Expectation on the functions of the board
4.      Understanding on the functional framework and implementation plan and guidelines
5.      Public are helpless on animal cruelty – they don’t even know what constitutes cruelty, who to contact, redressal and penalty. This must be addressed or we will end up working in silos.
6.      Points of contact in SAWB and outside
7.      What is the composition of SAWB Committee, Executive Boards and also the District SPCA? We must have a diverse group – not only politicians and political appointees. Lawyers & civil society are required.
8.      Update on Pet Shops n Breeder Establishments -  licenses given , and basis of giving the same,  methodology used. Clear directive from AWBI re banning of  all unlicensed breeding & pet shops
9.      Clear vision goal and outcomes, coordination and connectedness with different stakeholders like the police BBMP political framework as well as media
10.    Clear discussion on budget and allocation of funds across all 30 districts – as well as staff.
11.    Reaching  decisions on creation of shelters etc -For seized animals or cruelty cases
12.    Clear plan on training and dissemination on SAWB . Do Vet Officers know the basis for cruelty, evaluating breeders and pet shop licenses? Who is doing the training ?
13.    Clearer understanding of the SAWB document made for Karnataka, and it’s dovetailing & overlap  into the Karnataka municipal corporations act, the Karnataka police act, with necessary ramifications and reach outs
14.    Working together on best practices with successful state boards across the country especially Uttarakhand, Maharashtra etc. Start with Bangalore Urban District SPCA as a pilot project. ACT has already shared this in the whatsapp group.
15.    Are there reach outs to Karnataka Vet Assoc, Hebbal Vet College and Kennel Club of Indis to support and strictly implement this ?
16.    Clear citizen connect across districts with a citizen on supporting the PCA across all functions. Need for a support structure like ACT who can assist and provide a warmth,  public interface and greater buy in.
17.    A clear set of deadlines on expectations on all the above issues – esp on structure and budgets
18.    A citizen initiative ACT (AHVS-Citizens Task Force)  can organise an informal panel discussion with all stakeholders like minister, BBMP, Police, Activists & NGOs to create understanding, buy in, media support and roles & responsibilities.

19. No new excuse on funding as a reason to delay OR dilute KAWB implementation. We have waited long enough

20. helpline , common email and twitter/fb accounts for KAWB is a must 

We trust that the KAWB will move swiftly and effectively and male up for lost time in eradication of animal cruelty - in partnership with the citizens and NGOs.