Oprichtster PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, bezoekt PETA-kantoor in Koregaon Park, Pune (India)

Enforcement of animal rights is very weak in India:

PETA founder

03-12-2009 Sakaal Times, India


PUNE: In the last one decade, awareness about animal rights has substantially increased in India owing to relentless campaigns by animal rights activists and change in laws pertaining to protection of animals against cruelty, said People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) founder Ingrid E Newkirk.

“The recent decision by the central zoo authority banning use of elephants in zoos and circuses all over the country is a welcome move. But this happened after PETA petitioned the authorities and carried on with its campaign for four years, after which the order was issued,” Newkirk told Sakaal Times during an interaction here on Wednesday.

When pointed out that elephants are still being used in temples in south India for processions and other festivities, she said, “We are aware of that and PETA is deliberating upon the problem as the present order of the central zoo authority doesn't cover temples and use of elephants for festivities."

Newkirk, who was in the city to visit the PETA, India office at Koregaon Park, said that the issue in India was enforcement. Enforcement was very weak when it came to animal rights and protection of animals against cruelty, she said.

She said that PETA, through its ‘Animal Rahaat’ programme initiated some five years ago, had made enormous progress in the sugar belts of Sangli and Solapur. Under the programme, volunteers reasoned with bullock cart owners that overloading of sugarcane on their carts would gradually maim the animals and this would affect their income. It worked and now cart owners there provide some rest for their animals, Newkirk added.

Asked about PETA’s stand on the increasing stray dog menace in India, she said, “Dogs don’t move a lot. Apart from that, they are very clever animals. It is only when they feel threatened they start chasing people and motorists. But the sensible solution is that pet lovers should adopt stray dogs rather than go for specific breeds. If you feed and take care of the street dogs, they are also beautiful like the other breeds.”

Shifting focus on vegetarianism, Newkirk said people who care and love green should opt for being a vegetarian. She added, “Being vegetarian is respected. In the West, large number of people are switching over to vegan, which is a great change.”

She said PETA would launch the campaign ‘Compassionate citizens’ targeting children in the age group of eight to 13 in schools. They would be made aware of the benefit of kindness towards animals.

TENTH ANNIVERSARY
- PETA will celebrate its 10th anniversary on December 18 in Mumbai, during which the organisation would extend its gratitude to all celebrities who have pursued the cause of animal welfare and protection.
- PETA founder Ingrid E Newkirk was here to visit the organisation’s Koregaon Park office

(Bron: http://www.sakaaltimes.com/)