Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 22
The office of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Dimapur district was formally launched on Monday at the office of the chief veterinary officer, Burma Camp.
The message of the chief guest, chief editor, Nagaland Post, Geoffrey Yaden, who could not attend the programme was read out in absentia by director, Nagaland Post, Aochuba Yaden.
Geoffrey Yaden in his message said the Constitution of India through Article 51 (g) ensures protection of animals and calls for inculcating compassion for all living creatures.
“One very important aspect of impacting the principles of SPCA is to establish a hospital for animals in order to ensure that they are provided with adequate treatment. In a state that is largely meat eating or non-vegetarian, it is quite understandable that animals are generally taken for granted and at times not well treated as they should be,” he said.
Geoffrey said with rise in number of domestic animals, the need for awareness about the objectives and activities of SPCA is very much needed. “As economic progress and way of life changes, today many homes have pets and it may not be incorrect to assume that even in Dimapur we could have several hundred pet animals and a few thousand cattle and pigs,” he said.
The senior journalist also said that even slaughter of animals has to be done in a scientific and humane manner and added India has some of the finest provisions to safeguard animals in the world.
“It is also heartening to note that the Animal Welfare Board of India, the first of its kind to be established by any Government in the world, was set up in 1962, in accordance with Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Acts 1960 (No.59 of 1960).The government of India is taking the issue of animal welfare seriously and for us here in Nagaland, it is imperative to educate ourselves against ill treatment of animals so as to make ourselves more sensitive to the issue,” he said.
Vice president, SPCA, Joseph Lemtur, and SDO (C), Dimapur, James Swu, also spoke on the occasion. The inaugural programme was chaired by executive secretary, SPCA, Marian Rao. Chief veterinary officer, Dimapur, Dr. Temsu Ozukum proposed vote of thanks.
