Uttarakhand HC declares animals to be 'legal persons' with rights
In what can only be called a unique ruling, the Uttarakhand High Court has accorded the status of a "legal person or entity" to all animals in the state, while issuing a series of directions against animal cruelty. The court also declared all Uttarakhand natives to be guardians of animals, and bestowed them with the responsibility of animals' welfare. Here's more on it.
What precipitated such an order?
The unique order came while the Uttarakhand HC was hearing a PIL seeking restrictions on the movement of horse-drawn carts between India and Nepal through Banbasa, and seeking provisions for vaccination, medical checkup of the horses for suspected infections before entering into the Indian territory.
Details of the Uttarakhand HC's declaration
A Division Bench of Justices Rajiv Sharma and Lokpal Singh, on Wednesday, made the declaration, saying that in order "...to protect and promote greater welfare of animals including avian and aquatic, animals are required to be conferred with the status of legal entity/ legal person". The bench added that animals "have a distinct persona with corresponding rights, duties, and liabilities of a living person".
The HC gave several orders on animal welfare
The bench also gave several directions to improve animal welfare in the state. It gave directions on the amount of load allowed to be pulled by various animals in various scenarios, and banned the use of spikes or other sharp objects on animals. Additionally, it highlighted the need for fluorescent reflectors on animals and animal-drawn carriages for better safety.
Other directions on animal welfare given by the court
Furthermore, the court directed the state government to prevent animals from being kept in harnesses in temperatures above 37°C or below 5°C. It highlighted the need for compulsory, suitably-sized shelters for horses, bullocks and stray cattle, and directed veterinary doctors to treat any stray animal brought to them or visiting them. It also gave non-mechanical, animal-driven carriages the Right of Way over other vehicles.
