Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada DC Darshan HV expressed concern over pet shops in the district operating without mandatory registration under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.Pet shops selling live animals and birds must be registered under the Act, the DC said while chairing a meeting of the Dakshina Kannada District Animal Welfare Association at the DC’s office to review its implementation.“There are 20 pet shops in the district, and only two of them are registered under this act. Registration must be done separately with the Animal Welfare Board under the Act,” he said. He instructed the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) and other local bodies to ensure that pet shops are registered under the act before issuing trade licences.Members of the Animal Welfare Association told the DC that some pet shops keep animals and birds in cruel conditions without providing basic facilities. They said animals do not get adequate air and light as shops remain locked at night.Gau shala, facilitiesThe DC directed officials to demarcate and acquire 98.4 acres of land approved for a govt cattle shelter at Kumaradhara and to remove any encroachments. On the proposed veterinary hospital at Bondantila in Mangaluru taluk, he instructed officials to construct a boundary wall to prevent encroachment on the designated land.“All urban local bodies must take appropriate measures to control stray dogs. Measures should be taken for the sterilisation and control of stray dogs,” the DC said.Dr Arun Kumar Shetty, deputy director of the department of animal husbandry and veterinary services, said the govt has released Rs 22 lakh for the maintenance of 11 private cattle shelters in the district.MCC officials informed the meeting that the plan to build an animal crematorium at Nandigudda in the city has been dropped following public opposition.
