A case in Pune last year saw a dog being beaten brutally by a local resident, resulting in severe injuries to the animal. Despite the seriousness of the offense, the perpetrator was only fined Rs 50 under the current law. "In addition to the Pune case, there have been other instances such as the merciless killing of a stray dog in Mumbai and Jagatpuri, Delhi to name a few. These cases illustrate the severity of animal cruelty and the inadequacy of current penalties to serve as a deterrent where some people have been brutal to these innocent animals.
"But the lenient penalty does not reflect the gravity of the crime, effectively allowing offenders to get away with minimal consequences," rued Alokparna Sengupta, Managing Director of Humane Society International/India.
Sengupta, along with other animal activists, has now written to the new Government to ensure passage of the long pending proposed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2022 in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament. In 2022, over 180 parliamentarians had demanded such an amendment. At least 50,000 emails and letters were sent last year by animal advocates and the general public to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to amend the 1960 Act.
The draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2022 proposes substantial changes, including fines up to Rs 75,000, a significant jump from the current maximum of Rs 50, and imprisonment for severe offenses.
Such brutal cases call for strict legislative action, Gauri Maulekhi, trustee of People for Animals (PFA), said, as she pointed out, "Amending the PCA Act is imperative and long overdue. It is well known that violence against animals is a precursor to violence against other vulnerable members of our society, be it women, children, or our elders.
"Strengthening this law protects animals and serves as a pivotal step towards cultivating empathy and respect, fostering a society where compassion thrives, and brutality finds no haven."
The draft Bill introduces amendments to the current animal law including stringent penalties for animal cruelty, newer cognizable offenses, and establishes five fundamental freedoms for every animal-freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, and disease; and freedom to express normal and natural behavior.
It proposes substantial changes, including fines up to Rs 75,000 and imprisonment for severe offenses. "This is a significant increase from the existing penalties and is aimed at providing a more effective deterrent against animal cruelty," pointed out Sengupta.
The activists lamented that despite India having some of the strongest animal laws in the world, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 has remained unchanged since its adoption, giving scope to animal offenders to go scot-free after committing serious crimes against animals.
Last year, Mercy For Animals India Foundation among other activists too had written to the Prime Minister, highlighting the pending status of the bill despite recommendations from the Animal Welfare Board of India and more than 140 MPs.
"In the absence of a robust law, incidents of animal cruelty are on the rise as offenders are aware of the weak penalties under the current law," said Nikunj Sharma, CEO of Mercy For Animals India Foundation.
Anjana Kashyap, an animal lover and resident of Mayur Vihar Phase 2 in the national Capital said, "We can't live with outdated laws. There is a need for stricter penalties and better enforcement of animal protection measures. What are we teaching our kids when they see animals being beaten cruelly by some perverted minds?
"We need to promote a compassionate society where animals are treated with kindness, for our children's sake so that they become better humans."
