Take action on complaints against unlicensed pet shops, breeders: Bombay HC

It passed an order and disposed of the plea after it was pointed out that earlier the relief was only confined to Crawford Market area in south Mumbai but similar directions were required to be issued for entire Maharashtra.

A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Makarand S Karnik on April 8 disposed of PIL by one Shivraj Patne who sought direction to the respondent authorities to strictly implement provisions of 2018 Rules.

Advocate Sanjukta Dey for Patne sought the relief on the ground that cages and places where animals are kept do not fulfill minimum standard of animal housing as per 2018 Rules.

The petition also argued that the pet shops cannot be permitted to carry on the trade or business unless they have obtained a Certificate of registration from the State Animal Welfare Board (SAWB). Dey submitted that various pet shops in Maharashtra are being run in “flagrant violation” of 2018 Rules.

The petitioner further submitted that while HC in earlier order of May, 2017 had directed competent authority to take required action over the complaints, the same was confined only to south Mumbai.

Additional Government Pleader O A Chandurkar submitted that the competent authority is bound to take action once the complaint is brought before it.

“With a view to maintain parity, present PIL is disposed of with a direction that as and when any complaint is brought to the notice of the concerned Competent Authority in the entire State of Maharashtra with regard to the 2018 Rules, the Competent Authority shall take an action in accordance with law,” the HC held.