The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday issued an interim order to stop cruel treatment of animals while being transported in vehicles.

In response to the writ filed by advocates Padam Bahadur Shrestha and Shatkon Shrestha, the joint bench of Justice Ishwar Khatiwada and Justice Ananda Mohan Bhattarai ordered the government agencies concerned to

take immediate steps to ensure that animals, such as buffaloes, goats and chicken, are transported in humane conditions.

The apex court also directed the government to implement the Animal Transportation Standards 2064 BS. As per the standards, one vehicle should not carry more than 15 buffaloes and they should have enough space for free movement. The standards also stipulate that animal-transport vehicles should have ample ventilation and animals should not be transported on roof racks, or luggage compartments of passenger vehicles.