Screaming for Help : 'Need stricter laws to curb animal abuse'

Hyderabad: Animal abuse has been one issue that the activists and lovers of animals continue to flag. Most instances of cruelty towards the animals go unheard or are not reported at all.

Cruelty, neglect or intentional cruelty towards the animals pains the activists who demand that the government frame regulations to deter such inhuman treatment of animals.

The strays wallow in neglect, live in unsafe conditions and worse is the condition of abandoned pets, whose psychological pain goes unnoticed.

According to some city-based activists, there are no strict laws to punish those who are involved in cases of animal abuse. They also allege that locals are not much aware about the laws and have been abusing the strays for fun or by being ignorant towards them.

Speaking to The Hans India, P Teja, an animal activist who has been working for the welfare for the animals for the past 13 years, said, "As on Wednesday, I received 3 cases of animal abuse. In a week, we get more than 10 such cases.

Animal abuse not only means physical but also mental abuses. People have always been cruel towards animals, whether they are strays or own pets. From the side of an activist, all we can do is file a written complaint in the nearby police station and provide them the evidence of the same."

Teja adds further, "The cases go further to the court and later there are several hearings for the justice to the four-legged. The punishment is not severe and people get away easily."

Dattatrey Joshi, the executive officer of People for Animals (PFA), Hyderabad Chapter, said, " Every day we receive 10 to 15 complaints of animal abuse.

Locals have this thought that animals, mainly the stray dogs, will bite them for no reason. They never bite unless they sense some kind of danger from locals."

"Even after such unimagined abuse of the pregnant elephant in Kerala and many others, there are no stricter laws. We request people not to be harsh towards them," adds Joshi.

What the laws say

♦ Under the Section11 (a) to (o) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the offender (in the case of a first offence) will have to pay fine which shall extend to 50 rupees and if it is the case of second offence or subsequent offence committed within three years of the previous offence, he will be fined with not less than 25 rupees but which may extend to 100 rupees or with the imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with both.

♦ Also, in case of second offence, the offender's vehicle is confiscated, and he will never be allowed to keep an animal again.

♦ Killing of an animal/pet is illegal and it is an offence as defined under Section 11of the Act. It is a cognizable offence under Section 428 and Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 428 of the IPC deals with the punishment for committing mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal or animals of the value of ten rupees or upwards.

♦ The punishment for such acts/offences are simple or rigorous imprisonment for a term, which may extend to two years, or with a fine, or with both. While Section 429 of the IPC deals with the punishment for the same nature of crime but for the animals of the value of fifty rupees or upwards. It must be immediately lodged as an FIR with the area police station. The punishment in this case will be imprisonment of either description for a term, which may extend to five years or with a fine, or with both.