Tue May 13 19:42:54 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A report by the Animal Law Cell at the University of Delhi’s Faculty of Law has revealed widespread animal cruelty and legal violations across pet shops in Delhi. None of the 34 surveyed shops complied with the Pet Shop Rules, 2018. Violations included the sale of underage puppies, dead fish in aquariums, and general neglect. The report calls for immediate action, including crackdowns, shop closures, and public awareness campaigns.
**News Article:**
**Delhi Pet Shops Plagued by Cruelty, Legal Violations: Report**
**New Delhi – May 14, 2025** – A shocking new report exposes rampant animal cruelty and widespread violations of pet shop regulations across Delhi. The report, titled ‘Violations of Pet Shop Rules, 2018 across Delhi’ and conducted by the Animal Law Cell at the University of Delhi’s Faculty of Law, found that not a single one of the 34 pet shops surveyed adhered to the established rules.
The probe team, comprised of law students, documented horrific conditions, including the sale of underage puppies, dead fish rotting in overcrowded tanks, and general neglect of animals. The report highlights a complete breakdown of oversight by authorities such as the Delhi Animal Welfare Board.
“This report is a wake-up call,” said Prof. Sunanda Bharti, Convener of the Animal Law Cell. “The law exists to protect animals, but without enforcement, it remains meaningless. Authorities must act now.”
The report calls for urgent crackdowns on violating pet shops, potential closures, and robust public awareness campaigns to combat the systemic cruelty. It warns that without immediate and strict enforcement, animals in Delhi’s pet shops will continue to suffer. The findings expose a dark underbelly of the thriving pet trade, both offline and increasingly online, within the Capital.
First Piper 