Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has issued a detailed letter of instructions to the Indian Army, directing them to end the age-old practice of carrying out “humane euthanasia” on war animals.
This directive came about when the Ministry of Defence revealed how the Indian Army puts out war horses and dogs after they are found unfit for a month’s active service, during one of its Parliamentary sessions.
Animal activists have been demanding the end of animal euthanasia for years on end, and it seems their efforts are finally going to pay off. While other countries such as USA, Russia, and the UK find alternate happy endings for their veteran war animals, India has always been at the forefront of killing them, apparently in the most “humane” way possible.
In the letter, Parrikar has written, “I have had the matter examined. I have been informed that necessary instructions in the matter have been issued to Army headquarters regarding immediate cessation of further destruction of old and worn out animals, except for animals suffering incurable diseases, injuries and terminal diseases. They have also been directed to deal with the cases of animals suffering incurable diseases, injuries and terminal diseases as per the provisions of Section 13 (3) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.”
For animal activists and animal lovers alike, this move is a welcome breather after years of demanding to put an end to animal euthanasia.
According to the AWBI chairman Major General (retd) R M Kharb, “Though the old Army animals cannot perform, they still have residual life left and thus cannot be put to sleep. The Army authorities have informed us that they have begun creating facilities to house the horses and dogs. The dogs will also be offered for adoption and the Army will provide shelter to the rest.”
Source from India Defence News.
