SPCA remains dormant in Erode district

Erode district unit of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) revived last year after a duration of dormancy has seemingly failed to make its presence felt as yet.

The district administration revived presence of the organisation, which is supposed to ensure humane treatment to cattle, livestock and community dogs, and also provided a building on the premises of Erode Taluk Office. However, there has been no instance of the SPCA preventing overloading of vehicles at the weekly shandies taking place at various locations in the district.

Lorries stopped

The dormancy of SPCA was conspicuous on Saturday when a group of people out of public interest stopped a few lorries transporting 40 heads of cattle from Anthiyur Shandy along Athani Road and handed them over to the Sathyamangalam police. The vehicles were let off after payment of fines.

As per rules, only six grown cattle or 12 calves are permitted for transport in a lorry. The cattle cannot be transported without a valid certificate from a veterinarian to ensure that they are in a fit condition to travel by rail or road and do not suffer from any infection.

During transport, the cattle must be provided with water and feed at periodic intervals. But, in most cases, the cattle transported on lorries are not only denied even little moving space, they also suffer from severe malnutrition and dehydration that gets reflected in sunken eyes and thin stomachs, an animal lover said.

Every day, several loads of cattle are transported in lorries to Kerala and Karnataka. But, there is little evidence to suggest that the enforcing authorities are able to ensure the mandated space of a minimum of two square metres per cattle on lorries. The vehicles are also required to display in bold letters the addresses of consignor and consignee, the number of cattle transported, and the food provided.

In fact, the cattle must be loaded only after they are properly fed with food and water, and straw or coir must be placed on the floor for padding to avoid injury. Transport of cattle is advised during night hours to make the journey less tiresome.

Official sources said that the SPCA to be functional must be provided with funding for purchase of vehicles and meeting fuel costs.

Animal lovers say the district administration has to take further steps by securing funding from the Animal Welfare Board of India to the SPCA to meet the operational expenses since cattle shandies are conducted at several places across the district including Karungalpalayam in the city, and Kanagapuram, Gobi Modachur, Perundurai, Seenapuram, Sivagiri, Melampadi, Sanisandai, Kavindapadi, Sathyamangalam, Siruvalur, Puliampatti, and Puduchandai, in the rest of the district.

Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals remains dormant in Erode district