Govt can't wait indefinitely for states' feedback on pet shop rules: Delhi HC

New Delhi, Nov 5: The Delhi High Court has said that the Centre cannot wait "indefinitely" for a feedback from states on draft rules regulating running of pet shops.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said that sufficient time appears to have been given to states and union territories to give their feedback as they were apprised of draft rules in December last year.

The bench listed the matter for further hearing on December 15 when the Centre will have to inform the court about the status of notifying the rules. It also asked the central government about the status of framing rules for transportation of animals, especially cattle and livestock. This issue would be taken up by the court separately on February 24.

During the hearing, central government standing counsel Jasmeet Singh told the bench that since the states have to implement the rules regulating pet shops, their feedback was important. He also said that responses have been received from several states, but many were yet to respond.

The court was hearing a PIL seeking framing of rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to regulate functioning of pet shops. The petitioner, Gauri Maulekhi, has alleged in her plea that animals were subjected to intense cruelty in several pet shops.

PTI