Port Blair, June 13: Animal Welfare Board of India has issued an advisory to take all precautionary measures for strict implementation of the Animal Welfare laws to prevent cruelty towards animals, especially with regard to transportation and illegal killings. As per Rule 3 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, no person shall slaughter any animal within a Municipal area except in a slaughter house recognized or licensed by the concerned authority empowered under the law for the time being in force to do so. No animal shall be slaughtered, which is pregnant or has an offspring less than 3 months old or is under 3 months of age or which has not been certified by a Veterinary Doctor that is in a fit condition to be slaughtered. Violation of the Animal Welfare Rules can attract stringent action against the offenders under the animal laws viz. PCA Act, 1960, Transport of Animals Rules 1978 (amended in 2001 & 2009), Transport of Animals on Foot Rule,2001, Slaughter House Rules,2001 (amended in 2010), Municipal laws Act & Regulations of Food Safety & Standards Authority of India.

In view of the above, all the stakeholders including animal transporters and operators of slaughter houses and meat shops are advised to take all precautionary measures for strict implementation of the Animal Welfare laws to stop illegal killing of animals