PAWS-Mumbai lodged written Complaint ( Letter No. PAWS-Mumbai/PCA-BE/45-2013 Dated 18 June 2012 ) to Mulund Police Station & Range Forest Office, Mumbai against owner of two elephant which are abuse and neglected in Mulund, Bhandup and Thane, also used for begging etc and demanded to register an FIR against the owner.

On 12 June 2013 later the Bijli owner made her walk the
distance from the accident site to his home. This over-strain
made the elephant collapse near the house on the road.

Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai (PAWS-Mumbai) have send an written complaint letter to Mulund Police Station, Range Forest Office, Mumbai and to all authority who is responsible to look after city wildlife on 18 June 2013. Demanded to register an FIR against owner
 
In the letter send by PAWS-Mumbai which is signed by Sunish Subramanian Kunju (Founder & Secretary : PAWS-Mumbai / Hony. Animal Welfare Officer : Animal Welfare Board of India) its said .............

Despite the order Circular No.D-8(4)/WLP/OW/128/07-08, Thane 400 603, Dated 24/7/2007 of Chief Conservator of Forest Thane, there is widespread usage of Elephants by Mr & Mrs Goswami for the purpose of begging in these areas.  Also the two elephants are being neglected and abused.

On 11 June 2013 a day after Bijli was hit by
a moving vehicle at mulund and the owner is
cleaning the wound and washing the body
with water without any medical treatment



Please note that a moving vehicle had injured one elephant and later the owner made her walk the distance from the accident site to his home. This over-strain made the elephant collapse near the house on the road.

The other problems created for the animals and citizens are :


1.        The Elephants are made to walk for long distance without adequate food and water on Tar roads.

On 11 June 2013 other elephant owned by Bijli 
Owner, was seen using for begging near 
Mulund Railway Station - West

 

2.        The Elephants are made to walk long distance at night time too.
3.        The Elephants cause traffic jams while they are being taken from one place to another.
4.        The noise due to vehicular traffic and crackers increase the stress levels of the Elephants.
5.        The Elephants do not get proper medical treatment by their handlers when they become sick or injured.
6.        Minor children are made to sit over the Elephants and taken for joy-rides.
7.        It is hazardous to make the Elephants walk in public as they may come in “Musth”, thus risking the life and property of citizens.
 8.        The handlers / owners of the Elephants themselves are poor. Thus it is very unlikely that they would be able to feed or take proper care of these mega-herbivores who require adequate food, water and medication to live well.
9.        The owner sells the tail hairs as good-luck charms.

Please note that since the two elephants are illegally possessed and abused which violates the following laws :


PAWS-Mumbai Complaint Letter
Page 1

1. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 ;
2. Wildlife Protection Act 1972;
3. Indian Penal Code 1860;
4. Bombay Police Act 1951 etc.

The elephant is now lying injured and in a serious condition at an animal hospital at Parel.  It is very likely that henceforth the owner would not be able to nurture and protect the elephant, but would subject him to further abuse and commercial use.

Also, it should be noted that this owner is in possession of another elephant which is also abused and used for begging and joy rides.  The two animals are used purely for commercial purpose by letting them out for begging on the streets and for joy-rides.   It should be noted that earlier too, due to complaints from animal-welfare groups to the Police, action has been taken by the Police and the Forest Dept. for violation of the animal protection laws. But yet the abuse and commercial use continues unabated by the owners. 

PAWS-Mumbai Complaint Letter
Page 2

Citizens have constantly complained against the presence of huge animals on the streets for commercial use and joy rides, but for reasons best known to the law-enforcement agencies, deterrent action has not been taken so far.

We urge you to do the following at the earliest :

1. Kindly inspect the documents which prove that these two elephants are owned and transported in a legal manner into the city limit which is mandatory as per the law (e.g.  Ownership Certificate, Transit Permit, Medical Fitness Certificate from and authorized Veterinarian, Certificate of Implantation of Microchip, Elephant Insurance Policy, etc.).
2. Inspect the availability of space and capability of the owners to keep, nurture, feed and protect the two elephants.
3. If it is found that the two elephants are possessed illegally and ill-treated, then kindly seize them and transfer them to animal rehabilitation centre.
4. On the basis of the investigations done by us and the news-paper reports, photographs etc. we urge you to kindly register an FIR against the owners of the elephants.

Please note that your inaction on this issue would further endanger the life, safety and well-being of these two wild animals, which could lead to even death.  You being the law-enforcement agency would be liable for punishment if the abuse of these two elephants continue, which please note.

We request you to inform us of the action taken on the above complaint as early as possible in the interest of the mute and un-complaining animals.

 

For more information Please call PAWS-Mumbai Activist Sunish Subramanian Kunju on +91 9892179542

More Photographs
 

Chief Conservator of Forest Thane

Circular No.D-8(4)/WLP/OW/128/07-08, Thane 400 603

Dated 24/7/2007

The Indian Elephant is listed at S.No. 12-B in Schedule -1 of The Wildlife (Protection) Ame ndment Act 2002. This animal is brought within the limits of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Thane Municipal Corporation. The activities carried out by Indian Elephant is in violation of section 2(7A) read with Section 2(39), 38H, 43 and 42 of Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2002.

 

In order to s top this violation, it is hereby prohibited to bring or keep Indian Elephant within Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Thane Municipal Corporation without valid ownership with conditions stipulated by Forest Department of Maharashtra, Any possession with the limits of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Thane Municipal Corporation without ownership certificate from Forest Department, Maharashtra is treated illegal possession and action will be taken under Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2002 and other related laws.

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