In a blood-boiling incident, 6 newborn puppies were found brutally murdered in Delhi's Mayur Vihar Phase 1. The shocking case of Animal cruelty came a few days back when a few local caregivers found the mutilated bodies of the a-week-old puppies. An FIR has been against people at Mayur Vihar Phase 1 Police Station under Section 11L of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. , and the legal consult has urged the police to book the accused under Section 429 of IPC. As per reports, the puppies' skulls and jaws were crushed, tongues cut, and more. One of the puppies was also beheaded. However, what has sparked a debate is that if the killer is nabbed by the Police, he may be freed by just paying a fine of Rs 50. Now, the question arises what is Animal Cruelty law in India and what did the caregivers say about the incident?
What is Animal Cruelty law in India?
Enacted in 1960, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act broadly bans inflicting unnecessary pain or suffering on any living creature, encompassing acts like beating, neglect, cruel transportation, and inappropriate experimentation. The Act empowers individuals to report such cruelty and establishes the Animal Welfare Board of India to oversee its implementation. It is in Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. What has sparked a massive debate is under Section 11 of the Animal Cruelty act, the convicted person may only have to pay fine from Rs 10 to Rs 100 max. Below is India's Animal Cruelty Act in detail-
Individuals torturing or subjecting an animal to unnecessary pain or suffering can be punished with and/or imprisonment under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
Anyone charged under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act shall be punishable -
1. In the case of a first offence, a fine which shall not be less than Rs 10, but which may extend to Rs 50.
2. In the case of a second or subsequent offence committed within three years of the previous off with a fine which shall not be less than Rs 25, but which may be Rs 100 or with imprisonment term which may extend to three months, or with both.
While PCA Section 11(1)(m) is for inciting animals to fight with other animals, and Section 11(1)(1) mutilating or killing any animal by using cruel methods and are both prescribed with the same punishment and penalty.
In case of death of Animals
In case the animal has murdered by the individual, Section 429 will be invoked. Under Section 429 punishment for killing,maiming or rendering any animal, could lead to a fine or for up to five years, or both, says the AWBI.
It is pertinent to mention here that the animal activists and the local caregivers have been demanding the Delhi Police to file an FIR and invoke section 429. As of now, Delhi Police has registered an FIR and the cops are investigating the case. CCTV footage are also being searched to nab the culprits.