Karimnagar Pet Shop Faces FIR After Maneka Gandhi’s Call
"Repeated cruelty cannot be treated as isolated incidents. Permanent legal consequences are essential to deter such violations,” said Sri Vidhya
Karimnagar: In a significant step for animal welfare in the city, a local pet shop in the Geeta Bhavan area of Karimnagar came under legal scrutiny once again on Tuesday for subjecting birds and rabbits to inhumane conditions. Though there have been complaints and FIRs against this shop in the past, no permanent action was taken. However, a recent complaint by Kotala Sri Vidhya, an animal welfare activist associated with the Stray Animal Foundation of India, and subsequent follow-up from renowned animal rights advocate and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi resulted in action.
Maneka contacted the II town police inspector directly and urged immediate legal action. In response, the police obtained court permission to file a first information report (FIR) against the shop owners. A police team moved in to seize the animals and authorities confirmed that they would be presented in court for custody proceedings.
This is the third FIR filed against the same establishment for similar offenses. Previous complaints, including one by Adulapuram Goutham, also resulted in animal rescues and temporary shop closures. In her recent complaint, Sri Vidhya reported that the shop was keeping birds in cramped enclosures with inadequate ventilation, violating multiple animal protection laws.
Activists are now calling for more stringent action. “Repeated cruelty cannot be treated as isolated incidents. Permanent legal consequences are essential to deter such violations,” said Sri Vidhya.