Shahkot: FIR Registered for Killing Cats by Using Them as Bait, Following PETA India Intervention
In response to heinous videos circulating on social media, PETA India worked with senior officials of Jalandhar Rural Police to ensure the registration of a first information report (FIR) against a man suspected of cruelty to animals. The FIR was registered Suo Moto against Mr Mandeep under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. Section 325 of the BNS, 2023 makes the maiming or killing of any animal a cognisable offence and provides for a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both.
We received several deeply disturbing and sickening videos that appeared on social media, on which the accused posted footage of animals being used as bait to provoke violent attacks by dogs. In the videos, helpless animals were tied up alive with ropes and forced into a horrific situation where dogs, reportedly starved for long periods, were seen tearing them apart. The accused has been apprehended, and the police are in the process of rescuing the animals, who will be rehabilitated at an animal shelter in Jalandhar.
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 cruelty to animals to animals were [three] times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.”
