HC stays AWB notice to Vodafone

Mumbai, May 6 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today granted a stay on a notice issued by Animal Welfare Board (AWB) to Vodafone and has admitted the telecom operator's petition for final hearing.

A division bench comprising Justices Balil Nazki and A P Bhangale granted the stay. Vodafone's petition is likely to come up for hearing after the court's summer vacation.

The AWB filed its repley on Vodafone's petition following the court's directive yesterday in this regard.

Vodafone has challenged an order of the Animal Welfare Board which requires the telecom operator to withdraw an advertisement sequence which shows a pup chasing a school van.

The AWB issued the order last month on the ground that the advertisement was tantamount to cruelty to animals as the dog was made to run and chase a school bus for a long time on a road.

The dog was made to run fast behind the bus and subjected to pain, according to the board.

Vodafone, in their petition, have said the advertisement was shot in South Africa and it had secured pre-shoot and post-shoot permission from a South African veterinarian.

UNI ST GR/MAZ AM AS1509