Over 50 Animals Rescued from an Illegal Bengaluru Pet Shop Following Efforts by PETA India
After learning about the deplorable conditions in which animals of various species were being confined at an illegal pet shop in Koramangala named “Shabari Pets Boarding & Tamed Birds,” PETA India worked with the Bengaluru City Police and the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) to successfully rescue over 50 animals kept there in dire conditions.
PETA India acted after its cruelty response staff noticed few days-old chickens dyed bright colours being sold at the shop. PETA India documented the conditions of these and other animals and filed complaints with the Bengaluru Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Koramangala and Duguid police stations, and the Karnataka Animal Husbandry Department. With the support of the police, 46 chicks and one hamster suffering from an eye infection were rescued on 31 May and sent for medical treatment.
In a separate operation on 1 June, one lovebird with a leg deformity, two visibly sick and distressed cockatiels, one jenday conure, and one sun conure were rescued. The jenday conure and sun conure are CITES Appendix II species and fall within Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The birds had been confined in filthy cages with faeces accumulation. All the rescued birds were moved to Birds of Paradise, a local NGO in Bengaluru, for rehabilitation after their medical treatment.
Following PETA India’s complaint, the pet shop was served a notice by the Chief Veterinary Officer on 1 June for operating without the mandatory licence and for non-compliance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018 and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
PETA India is urging the concerned authorities, particularly the District SPCA, to take stringent and decisive action against all illegal pet shops operating without the requisite licences and permissions. We also commends the Bengaluru City Police for their swift intervention, which led to the rescue of over 50 animals. Special appreciation goes to Sub-Inspector Sri Shankarappa of the Koramangala Police Station and Sub-Inspector Sri Ravi G of the Adugodi Police Station for their prompt and effective action.
Facilities that engage in the boarding, breeding, or selling of ‘pet’ animals are required to be registered with the state animal welfare board, as mandated under Rule 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
An order dated 26 May 2020 issued by the Commissioner of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Government of Karnataka, sought action on unregistered dog breeding centres and pet shops in the state. Addressed to all district collectors and chairs of the district SPCAs, it mandated that all unregistered pet shops and dog breeding establishments not registered with the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB) be stopped from operating, in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018.
PETA India appeals to the public to play a crucial role in preventing such cruelty by refusing to buy animals from pet stores and breeders—many of which operate illegally and keep animals in deplorable conditions.
