Gujarat HC Seeks Answers on Illegal Glue Trap Usage

PIL Raises Concerns Over Unlawful Production and Sale

Gujarat HC Seeks Answers on Illegal Glue Trap Usage

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Gujarat High Court highlights the continued production, sale, and use of glue traps, despite their ban. The division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Aggarwal and Justice Anirudh Mayee has sought responses from the State Government, Animal Welfare Board, and Director of Animal Husbandry on this matter.

A PIL has been filed before the Gujarat High Court, drawing attention to the illegal manufacturing, selling, and using of glue traps to trap rats and other species, despite their ban. The division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Aggarwal and Justice Anirudh Mayee has sought answers from the State Government, Animal Welfare Board, and Director of Animal Husbandry regarding this issue.

As per agency report, Glue traps, consisting of a board coated with adhesive substances, are used to trap floor-moving species like rats, causing them to get stuck as they move around. This often leads to a slow and painful death for the trapped organisms. Despite a circular issued by the state Animal Welfare Board on September 5 last year banning the production, sale, and use of glue traps under Section-11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the ban is not being enforced. The PIL highlights the illegal manufacturing, sale, and use of glue traps, particularly in fields, agricultural areas, and industrial zones.

The high court noted that rats trapped in glue traps can release hantavirus, which can be potentially dangerous to humans when the rats lose control over bodily functions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Canada has warned against the use of glue traps due to the risk of hantaviruses. The PIL also raises concerns about the trapping of other creatures like birds, lizards, snakes, bats, squirrels, and small animals, posing a disease threat to humans.

The court directed the government counsel to seek responses from the state government, Gujarat State Animal Welfare Board, and the Director of Animal Husbandry. Further hearings on this matter are scheduled for July.

M.K. Rangwala, when asked about glue traps, stated that they are harmful to creatures like rats, snakes, and lizards and should be banned to protect animals' health. Despite this, glue traps are being sold online and in some stores.