6 Feb 2025
Dr Manjunath Palegar
Director- AHVS & Member Secretary KAWB
Pashupalana Bhavan, Hebbal
Bangalore
Email; dirahvs@gmail.com
Dear Dr. Palegar:
Sub: Active KAWB Implementation of PCA across vets, associations, KCI, pet owners & govt depts
As discussed with you, it is imperative (and the duty) for the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB) to ensure the PCA rules, (including DBM and Pet Shop rules) as well as the ABC rules 2023 are actively implemented across the state to be truly effective. This mail is specifically to focus on the PCA rules, which are not being fully followed by either the citizens, breeders, veterinarians or government agencies . The KAWB needs to address the lack of information, seriousness, and penalty regarding these laws. We suggest sending information and education messages, and issuing strong letters to all stakeholders. We would be happy to assist with the appropriate drafts.
The most important reasons for this are: lack of information, genuine or contrived stakeholder ignorance, a perception that it’s a new and toothless law, and unfortunately the lack of visible penalty & enforcement . KAWB needs to address all these issues head on, and ensure that its duty of preventing animal cruelty and promoting compassion is achieved. We suggest that a copy of this also be marked to the Honorary Legal Counsel for KAWB so that the right legal inputs & direction can be suggested for implementation and escalation as needed. To this end, we suggest sending information & education messages, and also in parallel issuing strong letters out to all concerned stakeholders. We would be happy to assist you with the appropriate drafts, which you can then edit to suit your perspective and tone.
We would like to start with the veterinarians who have taken an oath to uphold the veterinary ethics, protect animals and fulfil the laws of the country. Please see our poignant letter to vets written on World Vet Day last year. However, we have not seen any information, guidelines or updates from KAWB or sharing of AWBI Veterinary Handbook 2023 to either the Karnataka Veterinary Council KVC, the Pet Practitioners Association Karnataka PPAK, the Hebbal & other veterinary colleges across Karnataka. We presume they know, but it does not translate into action. This this is a very huge gap that needs to be addressed as vets are perhaps the most powerful influences and mentors for all of the stakeholders when it comes to addressing animal health issues or advice. Most veterinarians are extremely conscious and highly committed and ethical in their profession, but the few who repeatedly break PCA laws and encourage illegal, buying or breeding, sadly bring down their noble profession, This is most unfortunate since we all revere our beloved veterinarians, who heal & care our voiceless pets & community animals. We suggest a strong letter be sent out to each entity like KVC , PPAK, Vet Colleges, specifically reiterating the laws and the duty of the vets to fulfil all these laws, the need to re-educate them on such laws for which online zoom or awareness classes can be held by KAWB in association with the group. KAWB should issue a biannual ethics certificate covering current laws & updates which they should sign off on and display. KAWB should also outline appropriate vet terminology, the right legal advice to give a client, especially about issues of buying from registered breeders, illegal pet shops. mating their home pet dogs or allowing/enabling cosmetic and illegal mutilation (tail docking and Ear crop)of breed dogs. We are also aware of many vets who actually sell pups and dogs from their clinics or place or business. Specifically, the associations must write into their member vets to confirm that they are aware of these laws , will follow it both in spirit and letter, will ensure that the staff are completely aware of this, remind them of their sacred veterinary oath in upholding cruelty laws, and remind them of the penalties of disobeying these laws, namely, being disbarred as a vet, as well as the resultant fines and punishment . It is recommended that KAWB/KVC provide 6 simple posters to be put up in all veterinary establishments highlighting the above issues so that pet owners can be reminded of not only the obligation of the vet to follow the cruelty laws, but also their own role in breaking the same laws. Please correct the public perception that KAWB does not educate or penalise their own fraternity.
A similar letter also has to go out to the Kennel Club of India Karnataka, and its various branches to remind them of the above, and to also ensure that this specifically informed their members about the cruelty laws and the penalties for breaking them. The DBM Rule sstate: 35) The various Kennel Clubs in India shall not register any pup / male / female dog which has not been registered with the AWBI. 36) Registering animals from a non-registered breeder with AWBI is an offence for which legal action may be taken They also must also be reminded to immediately remove illegal and cruel breed specifications as cropping of ears and docking of tail when it comes to dog shows. They must also be reminded that whether their members have Kennel club of India registration or not, all breeders must compulsorily be registered under the KAWB , or they are considered illegal breeders. Many breeders use a KCI registration or license to convince their often unsuspecting buyers to believe that this is the official breeder license needed and they are registered breeders. The letter must clearly underline their duty as a registered legal non-profit association to follow the PCA laws, as well as the penalties that would ensue if these are not followed. KAWB must state that proactive response from KCI to their members in a public forum is required to fulfil their obligation as a registered and legal dog promotion and breeding entity. All dog shows must compulsorily be informed to KAWB and local SPCA and be under the rules to ensure no sales and mating. Breeders showing dogs with cropped ears and tails should have their license suspended.
The third stakeholder is the citizens /animal lovers and prospective pet buyers. As we are aware, many pet lovers may not be fully conversant with the dog breeding and marketing rules, which specifically state that it is considered an act of cruelty to animals. If a(1) dog is bought on impulse, (2) a pup is purchased under two months of age, and (3) if a pup is bought from a (SAWB) unregistered breeder. While we do understand that they may not know, it has been 7 years since the DBM 2017 Laws , and ignorance of the law is no longer acceptable. In parallel apart from promoting adoption, KAWB must spread awareness of the law and its implementation. While encouraging adoption, KAWB must even have a list of registered breeders available . Pet owners ignorance and illegal purchase of helpless breeding stock causes a huge increase in illegal purchases, cruel treatment to tiny un-weaned pups bought at a very young age from illegal breeders and results in a huge population of dumped and very ill dogs for the next few years. This is counterproductive to the concern of Animal Welfare, and therefore hiding behind the lack of knowledge or ignorance is no longer acceptable or can be shrugged off. To this end, however harsh, KAWB must make an example by not only shutting illegal breeders but publicly penalising pet owners who have purchased underage pups from a illegal breeders, so it sends out a strong message to other prospective pet owners. To summarise it is not only KAWBs duty to educate and make an example, but pet parents responsibility to be informed.
Therefore it falls on the KAWB to ensure adequate knowledge of the law and their own culpability is informed to the potential buyer, and their own role (however passive) in breaking the law should be highlighted. As it is said, when the buying stops, the breeding will too. While many people who have a preference for certain breeds, should be encouraged to first visit a shelter with so many pedigrees are available, they’re also allowed to purchase a puppy provided the decision is well researched by the family and the addition of a family member for the next 13 years has been budgeted for , that puppy must be over 60 days of age, and the breeder must show their breeders license from the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (a sample Breeders License should be publicly shared so they are aware this is genuine) . While information and empowerment is important to the pet purchaser stakeholder, we must also move to penalties if people continue to buy two month old, poorly bred pedigree dogs from unregistered backyard breeders and create more .
As far as the bureaucracy is concerned various government departments like forestry, BBMP police, etc. also have to be informed of the same via a clear letter or order so their own role, especially as civil servants in breaking the law is highlighted .While the issue of rampant illegal purchase of dogs, illegal breeding, unregistered pet shops and the tremendous impact on Animal Welfare, rising cost of rescue shelters, feeding and care of abandoned dogs and heartbreak to counteract this lack of enforcement remains on the table. It is the KAWB‘s singular role to take a decided and strong stance in proactively addressing the issue – ie informing enabling the right action and also enforcing penalties when this is not done.
We look forward to your response on these very categoric points along with an action plan roll out and timeline, the staff assigned (perhaps with some citizens adding to the task force support). Once this is rolled out, I am sure that our beloved KAWB will take a pre-eminent position in setting a sterling example and being one of the most compassionate and yet strict and responsible SAWBs ie state animal welfare boards in this country. We are marking a copy to a few concerned individuals and we look forward to an early action and discussion on this so we can finally move forward on this over neglected issue this together.
Sincerely
Priya Chetty-Rajagopal
Pictorial Representation
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