Petition filed against civic bodies for killing 350 dogs against SC's order

A contempt petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against the municipal council, Sakaleshapura Town, Karnataka for disobeying its order which expressly directed all the civic bodies to strictly follow the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules providing against catching or dislocating stray dogs. While hearing the petition filed by an animal rights activist from Bangalore, the Court has issued a notice to the Chief Officer of the Municipal Council and the Contractor who caught and buried the dogs who have been accused of defying the Top Court's order. The petition has stated that the Chief Officer had invited tenders to catch stray dogs last October and then relocate them within his municipality. The tender was given to the contractor and was paid upon completion of the illegal project. A First Information Report registered by another animal rights activist stated that the contractor had buried 350 dogs at the Sakleshapura Cemetery Ground. The petition has also put emphasis on a newspaper report which stated that the complainant in the FIR was informed about the mass burial of dogs following which he made a visit to the site and filed the complaint. The petitioner has stated that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the ABC Rules only allow catching of the stray dogs for the purpose of sterilization and relocation back to the place where they were picked from and restricts cruel and violent actions against them. In this regard, the SC has stated that the accused have harmed the sanctity of a Court order and have violated the animal protection laws of India which shall be dealt with by the Court. It has further stated that it would send a very wrong message in the society that orders of the SC can be treated lightly if not dealt with strictly.