Animal rights group demands resignation of Pratap Simha

Action for Animal Justice, an animal rights group, has condemned the recent controversial statements made by Mysuru Kodagu MP Pratap Simha and demanded that he apologise as well as resign “immediately”. Noting the incident of a pack of dogs mauling a five-year-old in Telangana, the BJP MP Pratap Simha said that stray dogs should be eliminated without any compassion.

“There is a Supreme Court order that does not allow the killing of dogs. Leaders from our own party make problems when stray dogs are killed. The media takes up the incidents of attacks on stray dogs. While tigers and elephants have one or two litter, dogs have close to 10 puppies.

They should be eliminated without compassion,” he had said while speaking to the media, angering animal lovers across the state. The AAJ pointed out that the MP has not been carrying out his duties as an elected representative to safeguard the lives of the stray dogs and maintain peaceful co-existence.

“As an elected representative sworn to the Constitution of India, what has Simha done to uphold Article 51A (g), which exhorts all citizens to have compassion for living creatures and protect and preserve the natural environment? As MP, has he granted MPLADS funds for animal ambulances to rescue helpless, sick and injured creatures? Or has he made provision for basic necessities such as food, water and a place to rest and sleep for them? Has he organised mass awareness programs regarding peaceful co-existence with street animals in schools and colleges?

Or initiated mass vaccination and sterilisation programmes for street animals through local civic bodies and AHVS officials in his constituency, or undertaken any welfare measures?” the group said in a statement.