Hyderabad: Welfare board void spurs pet shop violations & trafficking; activists flag underage puppy sales, poor conditions

HYDERABAD: The continued absence of the Telangana State Animal Welfare Board, which has been defunct since 2022, has resulted in a lack of regulation of pet shops and illegal animal trafficking, according to animal rights activists and NGOs in the city. The board was established in 2019 with a three-year mandate, lasting until 2022. However, since the contract expired, it has not been renewed."The board's certificate served as an indicator of whether a pet shop was complying with the rules or not. Nearly 60 to 70% of the pet shops I visited in the city lack proof of registration and blatantly flout the regulations. For instance, they sell puppies that are under 30 days old, which is illegal," said Mishi Aggarwal, who works for the NGO Humane World for Animals.Activists also allege that the absence of the board has effectively given illegal breeding centres a free pass, something they claim was already prevalent in the city even when the welfare board was active. "We reported numerous cases of locations in the city where animals are sold in small cages and in dire conditions, but nothing was done. Every Sunday at the Erragada market, you'll find over 150 animals kept in such conditions for sale," she added.Shreya Paropkar, an animal rights lawyer practising in the Supreme Court, said: "No attention is given to the health condition of these animals during breeding. Labradors and Retrievers suffer from hip dysplasia, Great Danes have heart issues, and small breeds experience spinal problems, so breeding requires great care. There are regulations for this, but a functioning state welfare board is needed to enforce them." Activists say they made every effort to change the status quo through multiple RTIs and even a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Telangana high court in 2023. "Our attempts to persuade the govt to re-establish the board have so far been in vain. Alongside its reinstatement, we are also calling for stricter enforcement of regulations," said Mishi.The welfare board is the primary authority responsible for overseeing animal welfare and safety, and for ensuring the implementation of the prevention of cruelty to animals act. According to a 2014 Supreme Court ruling, every state is required to have an animal welfare board.The director of the Telangana state animal welfare board was unavailable for comment this past week .