West Bengal's New Animal Slaughter Guidelines: What You Need to Know

New Regulations on Animal Slaughter in West Bengal

Kolkata: The government of West Bengal has introduced new regulations that prohibit the slaughter of animals without a valid 'fit certificate' from the relevant authorities, emphasizing that failure to comply will result in legal consequences.

Additionally, the slaughter of animals in public spaces is now explicitly banned.

These regulations align with the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act of 1950 and are a response to several rulings from the Calcutta High Court in 2018 and 2022.

According to the official notice, "No individual is permitted to slaughter any animal, including bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, male and female buffaloes, buffalo calves, and castrated bulls, without obtaining a certificate confirming the animal's fitness for slaughter."

The issuance of this certificate must be done jointly by the municipality chairman or the panchayat samiti's sabhapati and a government veterinary surgeon.

Authorities will evaluate the animal's age and health before granting permission. If a certificate is denied, the affected party can appeal to the state government within 15 days of the refusal.

Only animals over 14 years old or those deemed permanently incapacitated due to injury, deformity, age, or incurable illness are eligible for slaughter, as per the notice.

The notification specifies that animals with a valid certificate must be slaughtered exclusively in municipal slaughterhouses or other facilities designated by local authorities.

Violators of these regulations may face imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of ₹1,000, or both, with all offenses classified as cognizable.

A senior police official stated that the aim of these directives is to ensure strict compliance with existing laws.

"The purpose of this directive is to enforce legal standards and prevent unauthorized or inhumane practices. Any violations reported will be addressed according to legal procedures," the Kolkata Police officer remarked.