Animal Rights In India

Did you know abandoning any animal for any reason can land you in prison for up to three months?

India is regarded as one of the safest places for animals. We have got various laws that safeguard animal rights and promote a healthy environment for animals.

Through this article, we will let you know some of the key points of Animal Welfare Laws in our country which everyone should be aware of.

• Abandoning any animal for any reason can land you in prison for up to three months under Section 11(1)(i) and Section 11(1)(j), PCA Act, 1960.

Lets us know what these two above mentioned sections of The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act,1960 means:

1. Section 11(1)(i): without reasonable cause, abandons any animal in circumstances which render it likely that it will suffer pain by reason of starvation or thirst.

2. Section 11(1)(j): willfully permits any animal, of which he is the owner to go at large in any street while the animal is affected with a contagious or infectious disease or, without reasonable excuse permits any diseased or disabled animal, of which he is the owner, to die in any street.

• Willful killing or injuring an animal is a punishable offense under the Indian Penal Code.

Whoever intentionally kills any animal including a stray shall be punished under sections 428 and 429 of The Indian Penal Code.

Let us know what these two section means:

1. Section 428 of IPC: Mischief by killing or maiming an animal of the value of ten rupees.—Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming, or rendering useless any animal or animals of the value of ten rupees or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

2. Section 429 of IPC: Mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc., of any value or any animal of the value of fifty rupees.—Whoever commits mis­chief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless, any elephant, camel, horse, mule, buffalo, bull, cow or ox, whatever may be the value thereof, or any other animal of the value of fifty rupees or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.

• According to the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) rules 2001, Stray dogs that have been operated on for birth control cannot be captured or relocated by anybody including any authority. Street dogs that are sterilized and vaccinated by the concerned authorities should be released into the same area from where they were captured.

• According to Section 22(ii) of The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act,1960 all wild animals like bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers, tigers, and elephants are prohibited from being trained for exhibition purposes like the circus.

As enriched in Article 51A (g) of our Constitution it is the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment and to have compassion for all living creatures. We at Know Your Legal, request the readers to protect animals around us and create a safe environment for them. Also if you see any animal suffering, please report it to the concerned authorities.