Uttarakhand HC declares that All Animals Have Equal Rights As Humans

In a big win for animal rights, The Uttarakhand High Court on Friday accorded the animal kingdom (including avian and aquatic species), the status of a “legal person or entity,” which means animals in the state have the same rights, responsibilities and liabilities as other living persons.

The unique ruling aims to prevent cruelty against animals and promote their welfare.

“The corporations, Hindu idols, holy scriptures, rivers have been declared legal entities and thus, in order to protect and promote greater welfare of animals including avian and aquatic, animals are required to be conferred with the status of legal entity/ legal person. The animals should be healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express innate behaviour without pain, fear and distress. They are entitled to justice,”

- the High Court bench 

The Court also declared all natives of Uttarakhand the guardians of animal life, with a duty to protect them.

This also means a more vigilant watch on Poaching activities

Here are a few more key takeaways from the ruling:

• A limit to the load or weight an animal may carry

• A limit to the number of persons (including the driver) seated in a vehicle drawn by animals

• A ban on the use of spikes and other sharp tackle equipment on the animals

• A ban on harnessing animals when temperatures exceed 37 degrees Celsius or fall below 5 degrees Celsius

You can read the ruling in detail from LiveLaw Here , and let us know if you think this is a move in the right direction below! 

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