Delhi Police Register FIR for Dog-Maiming Incident; PETA India Offers Reward of Up to Rs 50,000 for Information Leading to Arrest
After CCTV captured footage of a dog being severely beaten with a daṇḍa (stick), resulting in a broken leg and head injuries, PETA India and local activist Divyansh Sharma worked with Jagat Puri Police Station to register a first information report (FIR) against the unidentified perpetrator. Police registered the FIR under Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and Section 11 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. PETA India is offering a reward of up to Rs 50,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for torturing the dog.
Anyone with information about the perpetrator can 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 perpetrators of animal abuse undergo psychiatric evaluation and receive counselling, as abusing animals indicates a 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. A study published in Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal stated, “Those who engage in animal cruelty were 3 times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.”
PETA India has long campaigned for strengthening the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the IPC prescribes stronger punishments).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 act, PETA India recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.
