High Court Intervenes as Heatwave Endangers Cattle in Local Markets
KOCHI — The Kerala High Court has formally stepped into a growing controversy regarding the treatment of livestock during the state’s current extreme heatwave. A Vacation Bench comprising Justice Ziyad Rahman AA and Justice KV Jayakumar issued a notice to the State government today, seeking a detailed response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging widespread animal cruelty.
The Core Allegations
The petition, filed by Angels Nair of the Animal Legal Force Integration, paints a grim picture of conditions in municipal and private cattle markets. Key claims include:
- Extreme Exposure: Animals are allegedly tied for days in open enclosures under direct sunlight, with temperatures soaring to 40°C.
- Lack of Essentials: Many markets in areas like Perumbavoor reportedly provide no shelter (roofing), ventilation, or consistent access to drinking water.
- Regulatory Failure: The plea argues that authorities have failed to constitute or activate the District-level committees mandated by federal law to oversee animal welfare in markets.
Legal Grounding
The petitioner argues these conditions are a "gruesome" violation of two primary legal frameworks:
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (Section 11): Which prohibits causing unnecessary pain or suffering.
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017: Which sets specific infrastructure requirements for livestock trade.
The court noted that while the situation is serious, it would not issue an immediate stay on market operations without first hearing the State's defense. "We have to decide whether this is illegal or not right," the Bench remarked.
What Happens Next?
The State is expected to file its response following the court's summer vacation. The petitioner continues to push for a total shutdown of any facility that fails to provide basic shade and water, citing a 2024 advisory that classifies temperatures above 28.9°C as a "livestock emergency."
Discription: The Kerala High Court has sought a response from the state government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging severe animal cruelty in cattle markets. The petitioner highlights that animals are being held in enclosures under direct sunlight, with temperatures reaching 40°C, without access to shade, water, or ventilation.
The plea asserts that these conditions violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, and Section 11 of the PCA Act, 1960. While the petitioner requested an immediate interim shutdown of non-compliant markets due to the heatwave, the Court declined to pass orders until the State provides its response. The case underscores the legal obligation to treat livestock with dignity rather than as mere commodities.
