High Court asks Animal Welfare Board to cite provision
Mumbai, May 5 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed Animal Welfare Board to file its reply, asking whether there is any provision in law that the board has power to ban a commercial advertisement on television channels.
The court was hearing a petition filed by a telecom operator, challenging the board's order to withdraw a commercial advertisement on television channels, where a dog chases a school van.
A division bench comprising Justice Balil Nazki and Justice A P Bhangale directed the Animal Board to file its reply, stating if there is any provision in law, where the board has power to ban the commercial advertisement being screened on television.
Telecom operator Vodafone and another agency had challenged an order of the board, in which it had asked them to remove a sequence of their brand ambassador pug chasing a school van from TV channels.
The Animal Welfare Board had last month issued the order to Vodafone and agency, stating that the pet dog was made to run, gallop and chase a school bus for a long time on a public road. The dog was made to undergo severe pain and was also made to run fast behind the bus, which a cruelty to the animal.
The petitioners, in their application, stated that the advertisement was shot in South Africa and the company had sought pre-shoot and post-shoot permission from a South African veterinarian.
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