Illegal Dog Hostel Shut Down Following PETA India Complaint, per Jodhpur District SPCA Orders
After PETA India filed a complaint with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), the Rajasthan Animal Welfare Board (RAWB), Jodhpur Police, and the Jodhpur Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) that dogs were being trained using abusive methods and intimidation at a dog hostel by the name of Dog Hostel in Jodhpur by Prakash Khatri and that the boarding facility was being run illegally – without a valid certificate of registration, which is mandated under the Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules, 2017 – the Jodhpur SPCA issued a closure notice to Prakash Khatri, the hostel’s owner. The Jodhpur SPCA had received directives to take action from the RAWB based on PETA India’s complaint. The owner was instructed to promptly return the dogs lodged at his facility to their guardians and cease operations. In its notice, the Jodhpur SPCA also warned Khatri that treating dogs cruelly is an offence as per Section 11(1) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, and Section 428 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
It was reported through videos on Khatri’s YouTube channel, named “Dogloverprakash”, that his dog hostel was providing boarding services further to training. A boarding kennel operator is required to be registered with the relevant state animal welfare board, in this case, the RAWB, as mandated by the Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules, 2017, framed under the PCA Act, 1960. Using abusive methods of training animals and running the facility without possessing a licence is a violation of the PCA Act and the 2017 Rules.
PETA India advises those looking for a sitter for their dog companion to choose a trusted friend or relative. When it’s absolutely necessary to seek the help of a boarding facility, guardians must visit, obtain references, and do everything possible to ensure that dogs will not be caged or otherwise abused.
Similarly, when looking for a canine trainer, it’s important to verify their qualifications and seek references to ensure they only use non-violent, reward-based techniques, and training must always be conducted in the guardian’s presence.
