The Vijayawada city police ‘arrested a swan’ as the bird was pecking passers-by in a colony. The police action against the bird came under sharp criticism from animal welfare activists.
According to sources, a woman lodged a complaint with the Nunna police a few days ago, alleging that a swan pecked her five-year-old daughter while she was playing in front of her house in Sugali Colony in central zone police limits in Vijayawada. She alleged that the swan was chasing the public and creating nuisance. Acting on the complaint, the police detained the bird and tied it on the station premises.
The police informed the Forest Department authorities of the matter, who said that the case did not come under their purview.
Nunna police personnel released the swan on Tuesday, when the higher officials pulled them up in the case.
Central Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) D.V. Nageswara Rao said that the Blue Colts police brought the swan to the station and booked a ‘petty case’. “An inquiry will be conducted into the incident,” said the ACP.
Speaking to The Hindu, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) G. Anand clarified that a domesticated swan does not come under the wildlife category. “We will enquire whether the bird was subjected to cruelty or not,” said the DFO.
A.P. State Cow Protection and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in-charge Hastimal C. Jain said that the police could take action against the custodian of the swan in the case, but not against the bird. It is learnt that the police tied the swan on the station premises and did not provide it with proper food and water.
“Police acted cruelly against the bird. We demand an inquiry into the incident and feel a case should be booked against the staff responsible under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,” Mr. Jain said.
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