Mumbai, Apr 12 (Reporter) The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to take action against unlicensed pet shops or breeders and others for allegedly violating the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, a lawyer said here on Saturday. A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Makarand Karnik passed an order and disposed of public interest litigation on April eight, filed by an animal lover Shivraj Patne who sought direction to the respondent authorities to take action against unlicensed pet shops and strict implementation of provisions of 2018 Rules. Advocate Sanjukta Dey for Patne sought the relief on the ground that cages and places where animals are kept do not fulfil minimum standard of animal housing as per 2018 Rules. The petition also argued that the pet shops cannot be permitted to carry on the trade or business unless they have obtained a certificate of registration from the State Animal Welfare Board (SAWB). Dey submitted that various pet shops in Maharashtra are being run in “flagrant violation” of 2018 Rules...////...