Hyderabad: The TS government has informed the Hyderabad High Court that it would soon constitute a state-level Animal Welfare Board which would be responsible for preventing cruelty towards the animals. It said that it has already written to the Centre urging it to make necessary amendments for treating cases of complaints of cruelty to animals as a cognizable offence.
The TS government filed a counter-affidavit pursuant to the direction of the court in a PIL by the Animal Welfare Society and others seeking implementation of guidelines issued by the Supreme Court for preventing cruelty towards the animals.
As per the counter-affidavit, the state government would hold discussions with the Centre for making necessary amendments to the existing laws on cruelty towards animals.
The TS government, in its affidavit, said that it was of the opinion that such incidents were taking place due to ‘lesser’ punishment to those involved in such incidents.
According to the affidavit a meeting was recently convened with the officials of police, transport and animal welfare husbandry departments for better coordination between them to act firmly against the guilty.
The court was informed that the government has decided to seize vehicles which transport animals without proper certificates to slaughterhouses and action plan would be readied for the purpose, including setting up a toll-free number to receive complaints.
