Mumbai Police Registers FIR After Two Viral Videos of Attempted Murder of Dogs– PETA India Offers Rs 50,000 Reward to Nab Perpetrators in both cases
After learning from a viral video that two men attempted to kill community dogs by stuffing them in sacks after tying their mouths and legs with plastic wire in Jogeshwari suburb of Mumbai, PETA India worked with a concerned citizen to file a formal complaint at Amboli police station. There, a first information report (FIR) was registered under sections 34 and 511 read with Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and Section 11(1)(a) and (d) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. The FIR was registered against two unknown persons whose faces are visible in the video.
Just a day later, a second video surfaced, also from Jogeshwari, of similar horrific cruelty to dogs. PETA India filed a complaint at Oshiwara police station and under sections 511 read with Section 429 and Section 34 of the IPC, and Sections 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(d) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. PETA India is now also offering a Rs 50,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for either of these crimes.
PETA India and Mumbai police are urging anyone with information about the perpetrators to contact PETA India’s animal emergency helpline on 9820122602 or at [email protected]. Informants’ identities will be kept confidential upon request.
PETA India recommends that the perpetrators of crimes against animals undergo psychiatric evaluation and receive counselling, as abusing animals indicates deep psychological disturbance. Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals, including humans. For example, Ameerul Islam, sentenced for raping and murdering a Kerala law student, had a history of raping and killing dogs and goats. A study published in the Journal of Emotional Abuse found that 71% of abused women with companion animals who sought shelter at a safe home had witnessed their partners threaten, injure, or kill the animals in their care.
PETA India has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders, although the IPC prescribes stronger punishments. In a proposal sent to the central government regarding an amendment to the PCA Act, PETA India has recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.
