HC notice to Punjab on Greyhound dog races

Taking cognizance of a plea seeking directions to allow greyhound dog races in Punjab, the Punjab and Haryana high court issued notice to the Union ministry of environment and forests, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and the state animal husbandry department, Punjab seeking reply on the issue.The petition has claimed that such dog races organized in the rural areas of Punjab help in the integration of the rural population and bridging social gaps and differences. The petitioner board has mainly challenged the decision of animal husbandry department, Punjab taken in November 2013 through which permission from the deputy commissioner or the deputy director (Animal Husbandry) was made compulsory before organizing dog races.

Cultural significance:
Greyhound dog races are being organized from times immemorial in Punjab and bring together the rural people from all the walks of life and such events acts as catalyst for the assimilation of different cultures.

Types of races:
Greyhound racing is an organized, competitive sport in which dogs are raced around a track. There are two forms of greyhound racing, track racing (normally around an oval track) and coursing. Track racing uses an artificial lure (now based on a windsock) that travels ahead of the dogs on a rail until the greyhounds cross the finish line. In coursing, the dogs chase an artificial lure hence no cruelty on any animal,

By: Dr. Vivek Rana