KOCHI : The Kerala High Court on Monday ruled that going out to fetch food or medicines for one’s pet is an essential errand, meaning it should be allowed without causing hindrance in lockdown conditions. Having a self-attested affidavit will do for this kind of shopping, the Court elaborated.
The court was hearing petition submitted by an Ernakulam Maradu native N Prakash, against being stopped from getting biscuits for his home cats. The court however turned down request plea for special passes for pet errand.
Prakash had approached the police asking to be allowed a trip from his home in Maradu to Kadavanthra in order to buy cat biscuits and medicines - a request the cops did not entertain. He claimed to be a vegetarian and cooked no fish or meat at home and instead made up for the deficiency, by feeding cats special nutrient biscuits available at veterinary hospitals. The petitioner said it formed main part of the cats' diet without which they would starve to death. His plea also cited how the Centre has included food and medicines for animals in its official list of essential commodities.
Like humans, animals too have rights and are part of the society, the court told police. It is not fetching them food rather depriving them the same that amounts to offence, the court observed. Prakash can submit the verdict and apply for a vehicle pass, the court said.
