Collector said cockfight is prohibited under Section 10 of the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, and Section 34 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. He emphasized that anyone found violating these laws will face severe penalties

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

NTR District Collector Dr. G. Lakshmisha has issued a stern warning that conducting cockfights is a criminal offense and strict action will be taken against violators.

On Monday, the Collector conducted a meeting with departmental officials at the Pingali Venkayya Conference Hall to discuss measures to prevent cockfights during the Sankranti festival. He also unveiled posters created by the state Animal Husbandry Department to discourage cockfighting.

The Collector stated that cockfighting is prohibited under Section 10 of the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 1974, and Section 34 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. He emphasized that anyone found violating these laws will face severe penalties. To curb cockfighting, joint inspection teams have been formed at the village, mandal, and division levels, as per High Court guidelines.

These teams will comprise village revenue officers, police constables, and animal husbandry staff at the village level; tahsildars, SHOs, and mandal animal husbandry officers at the mandal level; and RDOs/Sub-collectors, DSPs/ACPs, and Deputy Directors of Animal Husbandry at the district level.

The Collector instructed these teams to conduct awareness programs in collaboration with local public representatives, explaining the legal implications of cockfighting. He reiterated that both organizing and participating in cockfights are criminal offenses.

The Collector also announced that the Animal Welfare Fortnight will be observed from January 14 to 31 across the state. He directed officials to conduct various activities such as discussions, expert interviews, essay writing, elocution, and quiz competitions for students during this period.