‘Animal Kingdom’ Is Legal Entity; It Has Rights, Duties And Liabilities: Uttarakhand High Court

Uttarakhand High Court has declared that ‘Animal Kingdoms’ are to be considered as legal entities, according to a report in Live Law. The court has further declared that they too have rights, duties and liabilities of a living person.

The court observed, “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 principle of equality of all species found in Isha Upanishad is the culture and tradition of the country, particularly the States of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.” the court added.

The court directed the local governments to regulate the plying of horse carts by issuing licenses and charging a ‘reasonable fee’ for the same. The court further directed the state government to ensure medical examination of horses coming to India, as well as going to Nepal from India to check the spread of ‘infectious’ diseases. It told the government to set up veterinary check posts on the borders for the purpose, the report stated.

The court was hearing a petition which asked the court to direct the government to restrict the movement of horse carts between India and Nepal. The petition demanded vaccination of horses before they entered the Indian territory to contain the spread of infectious diseases. However, the scope of petition was expanded to the ‘welfare’ of animals.