Animal rights bodies rally for stricter penalties

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and Aashray Foundation gathered at Jantar Mantar on Friday, calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose stronger penalties for animal cruelty. Wearing animal masks, Modi jackets, white kurtas, sarees, and holding signs that read “Stronger Penalties for Cruelty, Please,” the group rallied ahead of International Animal Rights Day and Human Rights Day (both on December 10).

The rally comes as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, passed in 1960, is widely seen as outdated, with penalties so minimal they fail to deter offenders. Under the current law, fines for animal cruelty range from just Rs 10 to a maximum of Rs 50 for a first offense. In contrast, other legislation like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, prescribe much stronger penalties.

PETA India Campaigns coordinator Atharva Deshmukh criticised the inadequacy of the current penalties, stating, “For the abusers convicted of poisoning dogs, burning cows with acid, and other shocking acts of cruelty, a paltry fine under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is hardly a penalty at all.”

“Abusing animals indicates deep psychological disturbance,” he said. “Research shows that those who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders, sometimes escalating to crimes like murder, rape, and assault. We need to take animal abuse seriously to prevent further harm,” he said.