Slaughter of goat in house lands man in trouble

PUNE: The Alankar police have registered an FIR against one Vilas Ambadas Akhande for allegedly slaughtering a goat in his house.
The police registered the FIR under section 429 of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, after some animal activists complained that the goat was slaughtered on the basis of some "superstitious beliefs".

An officer from the Alankar police chowkey said the goat was slaughtered in accordance with the age-old tradition of the Akhande family on the final day of Navaratra. "The activists said the animal was dragged into the house while it was screaming. The animal was subsequently chopped in an inhumane manner. We are investigating the case," he said.

Another senior police officer said, "As per law, animals can't be slaughtered in anybody's home without permissions from the civic body. The city has designated slaughter houses."

People for Animals (PFA), India, representative Neena Rai, who accompanied complainant Sangeeta Parasnis to police, said, "The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, states that animals cannot be slaughtered except in recognized or licensed houses."

Parasnis said the goat was dragged two floors. "I called Rai to the spot for help and we went to the house to save the goat. On reaching there, we asked a woman about the goat. She said the animal had been sacrificed as 'bali'," she said.

Akhande has also filed a cross complaint against Parasnis and Rai for forcefully entering his house.