A Bill further to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Sixtieth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

1. Short title:-

This Act may be called the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act, 2009.

2. Amendment of section 11:-

In section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in sub-section (3), the following clause shall be added, namely:-

"(f) any bull fight or Dhirio" organized in the prescribed manner.

Explanation:- 'Dhirio' means a traditional game for trial of strength between bulls, as is organized in the State of Goa.".

3. Insertion of new section 13A:-

After section 13 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-

"13 A. Bullfights or dhirio to be organized only after permission of the District Magistrate:-

(1) No person shall organize any bullfight or dhirio without obtaining prior permission of the District Magistrate or any such person appointed by the Government for the purpose.

(2) It shall be the duty of every person organizing a bullfight or dhirio to ensure that the horns of the bulls involved in bullfight or dhirio are sufficiently covered so as to prevent any injury on account of edge of the horns and wherever possible, a thin sheath covering the horns of the bulls shall be used to protect the body of the concerned animals so as to prevent any injury.

(3) Any person who intends to organize any bullfight or dhirio shall make an application in such manner and giving such details, as may be prescribed, to the District Magistrate or any such person appointed by the Government for the purpose at least fifteen days before the date the said bullfight or dhirio is to take place.

(4) On receipt of the application, the District Magistrate or any such person appointed by the Government for the purpose may grant permission for organizing bullfight or dhirio subject to such conditions as he may lay down or refuse permission after giving the organiser a reasonable opportunity of being heard and recording reasons therefor.

(5) Any order issued under sub-section (4) by the District Magistrate or any such person appointed by the Government for the purpose shall be final.".

In certain States of the Country including the States of Goa. Tamil Nadu etc. the bullfight popularly known as Dhirio or racing or fight by or between animals is organized in the villages during certain festivals. Organisation of such events during the festivities is a tradition going back to centuries. However, in view of restrictions laid down under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, such events cannot take place. People in the villages of the State of Goa are agitating over restrictions on events like Dhirio during the festivities. The proposed amendment Bill seeks to exempt the events like Dhirio from the purview of the Act and to enable the people to organise such traditional events as Dhirio after obtaining due permission from the District Magistrate or any such person appointed by the Government for the purpose.

The Bill seeks to achieve the above objective.

Francisco Sardinha