Complaints lodged against illegal cow slaughter

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh State Animal Welfare Board has lodged seven police complaints against illegal cow slaughtering in the city on November 6 and 7. More than 25,000 cattle are alleged to have been illegally slaughtered in the twin cities on the occasion of Bakrid on Monday, according to AWB members. A member Mahesh Agarwal said, "Violating various laws including AP Prohibition of Cow Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act, 1977, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Indian Penal Code, AP Motor Vehicle Rules and Transportation of Animal Rules, 1978, a large number of cows, bulls, buffalos and sheep were brought to the city and slaughtered on Bakrid." He further alleged the police department, animal husbandry department and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation have not taken any steps to stop this illegal act. Cattle were being slaughtered openly in various parts of city particularly the Old City."
According to Mahesh, a large numbers of cows were brought from Srikakulam, Icchapuram, Suryapet, Chilguluripeta and Bidar in Karnataka. "Not just slaughter but also transporting animals in our state is illegal," another member said. In fact, police officials had issued a circular on September 12 and asked all police stations to form teams for stopping cow slaughter in city but not a single case has been registered in this regard, he added.Mahesh also said they had demanded the state government to enforce a law to prohibit animal slaughter but did not receive any response. "We have lodged complaints in Kacheguda, Moinabad, Ibrahimpatnam, Shameerpet, Vanasthalipuram, Shahinayatgunj and Rajendra Nagar police stations," he said.