Be a life saver

Payal Sodhi

Somehow people think that animal welfare is hugely connected to the care and protection of street dogs only. Yes it is, but then we have a lot of other animals that also need to be protected and yes there are laws for them too. So, we will continue with our series on - Laws and Animals and this time it will be about the draught animals i.e. those which are used for pulling load such as the horses, donkeys, mules and bulls. 

The sight of an overloaded cart being pulled by a weak/sick/wounded/old animal is a sight that just about moves everyone but then comes the crucial question - what do we do after that? The fact that we don’t know the law is just not enough of a reason to not stop and help. Let’s understand the law and yes, remember once you have read this, there will be no reason not to stop and help.

• The main Act remains The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, wherein it has been clearly stated that (Section 11) no animal can be over loaded, and it categorically mentions that if an animal is injured/sick or old then he/she cannot be employed at all. Now, a lot of times we see horses, bulls and even mules left to fend for themselves on the roads. This too is a violation of the said Act as well as the local Municipal Act. So, if you see any such animal on the road then simply  call the police control room - number 100 and give them the location. Here it is very important to add that the police of this region is much aware of the animal laws and is generally helpful and supportive.
• All the animals that pull load/cart come under this law- The Prevention of Cruelty to Pack and Draught Animals Rules 1965. 

Here it has been simply put that

• If the temperature is more than 37 degrees then no animal can be used between 12 noon to 3 pm.
• Once the work time is over then the saddle and harness has to be removed.
• It is very clearly mentioned that no material/ load that could cause harm to the said animal in terms of bruises, swellings, abrasions or severe pain, may be used.  *Hence if you see items like rods or even chemicals then you can stop the cart and bring it to the notice of the police.
• Most importantly, the maximum load that an animal can carry has also been specified- generally speaking anything above 750 kg or 7.5 quintals is not permitted if there are pneumatic tyres. It’s easy to calculate—one bag of cement is 50 kg, a gas cylinder is 23- 25 kg. Do a simple calculation and help the animal.

We are always in a hurry to reach somewhere and hence there is generally no time to stop and help an animal, but then that one stop can actually save their life. The police reaches in a few minutes. Show them the animal and then that’s it, your job is done.

Horses, mules and donkeys are such gentle and loving creatures. In fact, the one main reason why I decided to take up this cause was because of the deplorable condition of these animals and during my journey with them I have had some beautiful associations with some of them, it would be an honour to mention them— Tara, Sultan, Himmat and Karl.

Go ahead, stop and save a life and that will just change your life.

(Sodhi is a Chandigarh-based animal rights activist)