The Kerala High Court has stepped in to address allegations of severe animal cruelty occurring at cattle markets across the state. On Friday, the court sought formal responses from both the Central and State governments following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that claims domesticated bovines are being subjected to “unfathomable agony.”
The intervention comes after reports emerged of animals being kept in grueling conditions, specifically at municipal and local body markets like the one in Perumbavoor.
The PIL, moved by animal rights activist Angels Nair, paints a grim picture of the current state of livestock trade in Kerala. According to the petition, cattle are frequently kept tightly tethered for entire days under the blistering sun without any access to shade or water.
The petitioner argues that the temporary nature of the animals’ stay is being used as a justification for neglect. “The cattle will be slaughtered in a couple of days, which is not an excuse for inflicting unfathomable agony,” the plea emphasizes.
A central point of the litigation is the alleged disregard for existing animal welfare regulations. The petition asserts that these markets are operating in direct violation of:
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017.
- National Heat Wave Advisories: Specifically, the ‘Livestock in the Event of Heat Wave Situation’ advisory issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
The petitioner is seeking a court-mandated halt to the “illegal functioning” of these markets until they comply with basic humanitarian standards and infrastructure requirements, such as proper shelters and hydration facilities.
A bench comprising Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar presided over the matter. Recognizing the gravity of the claims, the bench issued notices to:
- The Central Government
- The Kerala State Government
- The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)
- The Perumbavoor Municipality
The court has directed these authorities to clarify their positions and the measures being taken to regulate these markets. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 25.
