Ink-and-paint illustration depicting pigs awaiting culling at a breeding centre in Thrissur, Kerala, highlighting livestock management and animal health concerns.
Kochi: Kerala High Court has directed the formation of animal market monitoring committees in all districts within two months, as mandated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, warning that failure to comply would compel it to order the closure of all livestock markets. The court posted the petition for further hearing on Dec 2 and directed state govt to file an affidavit by then, disclosing the cases registered under the 2017 rules so far and the steps taken against violators. On examining the affidavits, the court found that the district animal market monitoring committee had been constituted only in Idukki.
The court had earlier directed district collectors to file affidavits on compliance with the mandatory requirements under the rules governing livestock markets and the care and maintenance of animals seized in cruelty cases in their respective districts.