vIndianz.com (Dec. 03, 2009) — In the last one decade, consciousness in relation to animal rights has considerably augmented in India due to relentless campaigns by animal rights activists and revolutionize laws pertaining to protection of animals against cruelty, said People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) founder Ingrid E Newkirk.
“The current verdict by the central zoo authority outlawing 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 conscious of that and PETA is deliberating upon the problem as the present order of the central zoo authority doesn’t cover temples and employ of elephants for festivities.”
Newkirk, who was in the city to visit the PETA, India office at Koregaon Park, said that the subject in India was enforcement. Enforcement was very feeble 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 huge advancement in the sugar belts of Sangli and Solapur. Under the programme, volunteers reasoned with bullock cart owners that overfilling of sugarcane on their carts would slowly maim the animals and this would influence their income. It worked and currently cart owners there offer some rest for their animals, Newkirk added.
Asked about PETA’s stand on the growing stray dog menace in India, she said, “Dogs don’t move a lot. Apart from that, they are very intelligent animals. It is only when they feel endangered they begin chasing people and motorists. But the rational solution is that pet lovers should adopt stray dogs rather than go for definite breeds. If you feed and take care of the street dogs, they are also beautiful like the other breeds.”
Shifting focal point on vegetarianism, Newkirk said people who care and care for green should choose for being a vegetarian. She added, “Being vegetarian is appreciated. In the West, large number of people is switching over to vegan, which is an immense change.”
She said PETA would commence the campaign ‘Compassionate citizens’ targeting children in the age group of eight to 13 in schools. They would be made aware of the advantage of compassion towards animals.
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- Wild elephants rampage in Indian city, kill one person – AHN | All Headline News
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