PG diploma course on animal protection laws launched

: The country's first academic course on animal protection laws was launched here Tuesday by the animal law centre in NALSAR University of Law.

The one-year PG diploma course, started in collaboration with Humane Society International/India, is a distance-learning course with a few contact classes every semester, according to a press release here.

The course is aimed at delivering a strong foundation of animal protection to government officials, animal protection advocates, students from all fields and anyone with an interest in the field animal protection, the release said.

The main objective of the course is to equip citizens to handle practical and contemporary aspects and challenges faced on the ground, with respect to cruelty towards animals, policy development and research as well as litigation in ancillary matters regarding animals, it said.

HSI/India managing director N G Jayasimha, who is also honorary director of the animal law centre, said in the release that ''we are excited to launch this historic course and welcome anyone and everyone, who has always been interested in learning about the legal aspects about animal protection, to apply for this course.''