A pet shop owner was arrested after 179 protected native birds, including Red Munias, Scaly-breasted Munias and Common Hill Mynas, were rescued from his shop in Pathankot on Saturday.
The rescued munias were moved to the custody of the authorities concerned and are proposed to be released into a nearby wildlife sanctuary after completing required legal and veterinary procedures. The Common Hill Mynas are proposed to be shifted to Mohali’s Chhatbir Zoo, pending necessary permissions and court orders. Mohammad Jahid, owner of Chotu Pet Shop on Saili Road, was booked under Sections 9 (prohibition of hunting), 39 (possessing government property), 49 B (a) (iv) (a dealer in any captive animals being scheduled animals), 51 (penalties) and 57 (presumption) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act at the Division Number 2 police station as the rescued birds are protected under Schedule I and Schedule II of the Act.
