The Indian Railway openly promoted unlawful and animal abusive manner, promotion and use of Glue traps, which is banned by the AWBI.
The glue traps, barbaric device to catch and kill rodents in the households, continue to flood the markets despite ban imposed on its sale by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) under Environment Ministry.
“The use of glue traps is in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,” pointed out Major General RM Kharb, Chairman of AWBI. Glue traps, also known as glue boards, are made by coating natural or synthetic adhesive on cardboard, plastic trays or similar material.
The rodents get caught in the trap by their feet or fur. They are then thrown away to die a horrible death while still stuck to the trap. This glue is so powerful that once caught, the animal cannot free itself, and even if it manages, a part of its skin will shear off.
Usually, the trapped animal dies of dehydration, suffocation or starvation over a period that may prolong to two days. Some even end up chewing off their own body parts attached to the glue in order to escape.
Ms. Sukanya Berwal also raised her voice against use of Glue traps by Indian Railway in past. “It is also risky for the person who carries the trapped animal,” pointed out Naresh Kadyan,
Chairman, People for Animals Haryana and OIPA India representative, besides it antavirus, a fatal respiratory disease, which may be passed on to the person through rodent droppings and urine from the sticky surface,” he said. Miss Suman Malik of PFA Haryana, asked to prohibit sale, manufacture, use and import of glue traps, however, despite this, rats continue to die a painful death.
HOW YOU CAN HELP AN ANIMAL TRAPPED: If such an animal is seen suffering on a glue trap, efforts may be made to release the animal by pouring a small amount of cooking or baby oil onto the parts of the animal that are stuck. One can, then, gently try to get the animal free. Care must be taken, not to get any oil in the animal’s mouth or nose as this could cause suffocation. However, it is best to take the assistance of local vets in such cases, Suman Malik added.
OIPA – Indian People for Animals demands immediate cancellation of all tenders executed by the Indian Railway after punishing the concerned officers and booking the offenders for the violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
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