Bollywood director and actress Pooja Bhatt took to the social media on Thursday to raise her voice against the exploitation and neglect which animals are subjected to as the concerns grow over the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 48-year-old shared an Instagram picture of the circular released by the Animal Welfare Board of India which requests people "to not leave the animals or inflict cruelty due to the COVID-19" pandemic. The circular further clarifies that dogs and cats do not harbour or spread the novel coronavirus and any offence perpetrated against animals is punishable under the law.