Animal lovers in Bengaluru rescued hundreds of starving caged birds and animals on Wednesday during the raids on pet shops.
The birds and animals had been starving inside the locked shops ever since the lockdown announced on March 25 in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Two rabbits and four birds were found dead by the members of the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board, BBMP and animal rights groups, who have been raiding the pet shops over the last three days.
During the raids, two Persian cats, eight rabbits, 10 pigeons and more than 100 birds were saved.
“We have directed the pet shop owners to immediately open the shops and feed the animals and birds. The rescued ones are being rehabilitated in rescue homes. In the last three days, we inspected 13 pet shops and found that many are operating illegally without a license too. We will initiate criminal proceedings against unlicensed pet shops,” warned Shivanand Dumble, member of the Board.
