Concern raised over animal cruelty at Karavali Utsava

Mangaluru: Animal activist Tauseef Ahmed submitted a complaint to the deputy director of animal husbandry and veterinary services, highlighting alleged animal cruelty at the ongoing Karavali Utsava. The festival, aimed at celebrating the culture and diversity of the region, is being held from Dec 21 to Jan 19. In his letter dated Dec 30, Tauseef expressed grave concern about the treatment of animals displayed at the exhibition being held at the Karavali Utsava grounds, including dogs, puppies, ducks, birds, iguanas, and others. "These animals are confined to cramped conditions, subjected to continuous handling, harassment, loud noises, and the stress of large crowds. Visitors at the exhibition interact with the animals in ways that are harmful and distressing," he stated. Tauseef described instances of rough handling, where both children and adults were encouraged to hold, poke, and tease the animals, causing them significant physical and emotional distress. He also criticised the inadequate living conditions, noting that animals were often kept in small cages with insufficient food, water, and sanitation, posing health risks. "The constant noise and large crowds exacerbate the animals' fear and anxiety, creating a highly stressful environment," he said. Tauseef called these practices a clear violation of animal welfare laws, resulting in immense suffering for the animals. He urged the deputy commissioner and the department of animal husbandry and veterinary services to take immediate action by removing all live animals from the fair. He also demanded an investigation into potential violations of animal cruelty laws by the organisers and the implementation of stricter regulations to prevent such incidents in future fairs. Meanwhile, people reached out to Tauseef regarding the issue, expressing relief that a complaint was filed. They remain hopeful that the authorities will take swift action to address the situation, he said. Dr Arun Kumar Shetty N, deputy director of animal husbandry and veterinary services department, visited the site and promptly intervened. "The live animals were immediately relocated from the premises," he said.
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