VMD 511: Animal Welfare, Ethics and Jurisprudence (2+0)

THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO DRAUGHT AND PACK ANIMALS RULES,1965

Q 21) What is the maximum load for draught animals?

A) Below is the table, stating the specific animals meant for drawing a vehicle of the kind with the load of excess weight.

TABLE I

1) Small bullock or Small buffalo	Two wheeled vehicle- a) If fitted with ball bearings b) If fitted with pneumatic tyres c) If not fitted with pneumatic tyres	1000 kilograms 750 kilograms 500 kilograms
2) Medium bullock or Medium buffalo	Two wheeled vehicle- a) if fitted with ball bearings b) if fitted with pneumatic tyres c) if not fitted with pneumatic tyres	1400 kilograms 1050 kilograms 700 kilograms
3) Large bullock or Large buffalo	Two wheeled vehicle- a) if fitted with ball bearings b) if fitted with pneumatic tyres c) if not fitted with pneumatic tyres	1800 kilograms 1350 kilograms 900 kilograms
4) Horse or mule	b) if fitted with pneumatic tyres c) if not fitted with pneumatic tyres	750 kilograms 500 kilograms
5) Pony	b) if fitted with pneumatic tyres c) if not fitted with pneumatic tyres	600 kilograms 400 kilograms
6) Camel	Two-wheeled vehicle	1000 kilograms

Q 22) What is the maximum load of certain pack animals?

A ) Below is the Table provided specifying animals allowed to carry loads along with the excess weight .

TABLE II

1) Small bullock or buffalo	100 kilograms
2) Medium bullock or buffalo	150 kilograms
3) Large bullock or buffalo	175 kilograms
4) Pony	70 kilograms
5) Mule	200 kilograms
6) Donkey	50 kilograms
7) Camel	250 kilograms

Q 23) What are the powers provided to police officers under The Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules,1965?

A) Section 11 of the Act, provides that if police officer above the rank of a constable feels that the rule of reasonable excess weight with regard to the draught and pack animals is getting violated, he may, ask the owner or the other person in charge of such animal to take the animal or the vehicle or both to the weighbridge for the purpose of determining the weight of the load which animal has been or is drawing or carrying.

And if the owner incharge of the aforesaid animals refuses to comply with the demand of the police officer , the policeman has every right to take the animal or the vehicle or both to the weighbridge and get it measured. And as soon as any weight is determined under this rule, the owner or other person in charge of the said animal shall be given a statement in writing signed by the police officer as to the weight so determined and any other information relevant for the purpose.

Q 24) What are the general conditions for the use of draught and pack animals?

A) Section 6 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965, lays down the general conditions for the use of draught and pack animals. No person is allowed to use any animal for drawing any vehicle or carrying any load :

• For more than nine hours in a day in the aggregate;
• For more than five hours continuously without a break or rest for the animal;
• In any area where the temperature exceeds 37 degree C ( 99 degree F ) during the period between 12 noon and 3 p.m.

Q25) What are other relevant provisions with regard to The Prevention of Cruelty To Draught And Pack Animals Rules,1965?

A) Following are the important sections that should be known. These are:

• Section 7:- Animals to be disengaged after work:- No person shall continue to keep in harness any animal used for the purpose of drawing vehicles, after it is no longer needed for such purpose.
• Section 8:- Use of spiked bits prohibited:- No person shall, for the purpose of driving or riding an animal or causing it to draw any vehicle or for otherwise controlling it, use any spiked stick or any other sharp tackle or equipment which causes brusies,swellings, abrasions or sever pain to the animal.
• Section 9:- Saddling of horses:- No person shall cause a horse to be saddled in such a way that the harness rests directly on the animal’s withers without there being sufficient clearance between the arch or the saddle and the withers.