Corono virus has engulfed the entire world and countries all over are fighting this disease. India too is fighting it.
While the people and the governments are together fighting this terrible pandemic, animals are again not left in peace. For everything going wrong people have to blame the animals. Rumours have gone abuzz that cats and dogs may be spreading the corona infection. Posters about this most absurd and erroneous information were put up at various places in Mumbai.
This time the Chairman, AWBI (Animal Welfare Board of India) was prompt enough to come out with a circular dated 11th March 2020 which said not to abandon animals or inflict cruelty to animals due to COVID 19.
The circular was addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories of India. These were some of the highlights of the letter:
1 As per WHO clarification dogs and cats do not spread Corona virus infection. Therefore people should not abandon or leave their pets to go stray.
2 Cruelty to animals is an offence under prevention of cruelty to animals act. Hence animals should not be harmed.
3 The states should further issue circulars regarding this information to all the concerned authorities to create awareness amongst the public and the law enforcement agencies to penalize people who indulge in any such prohibited practices.
This is a good step taken by the board. The animal lovers and activists hail this circular.
This circular clearly shows that when there is a will the machinery starts working in the right direction.
The AWBI has taken a good step in busting the myths attached with dogs and cats in spreading Corona virus. It needs to do the same with rabies.
Firstly, it should stop states to take any decision on it's own on matters of any animal whether it be dog, cat, monkey, cow.... etc. They should only be following guidelines issued by the AWBI concerning any animal.
Secondly, no state should be allowed to put any kind of awareness posters regarding any animal. The recent example of rabies posters put up by the EDMC and that too for three consecutive years (2018, 2019 and 2020) clearly shows how states can mislead people and unnecessary create fear in their minds for the man's best friend. If only the AWBI had intervened and monitored properly then such posters would have never come.
We hope the AWBI soon comes out with a circular urging all states to follow the ABC programme strictly and to ensure that the law enforcement agencies in their respective states punish people who indulge in dog relocation or any form of cruelty towards the man's best friend.