Delhi Man Booked for Killing a Puppy, Following PETA India’s Intervention

After learning that an individual had allegedly killed a puppy in the Pandit Mohalla area of Delhi by dragging a metal gate over their neck – and later bragged about it in a video – PETA India and local activists advocate Leena Sharma and Ms Nimisha Bhagat filed a complaint with the New Ashok Nagar Police Station, seeking the registration of a first information report (FIR). The police station registered an FIR under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11(1)(a) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, against the accused. We commend the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, Shri Sanjay Arora, IPS, and Deputy Commissioner of Police, East District, Delhi, Ms Apoorva Gupta, IPS, for directing the registration of the FIR and sending the message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.

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 [three] times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.”

PETA India has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the BNS, 2023, which has now replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860, prescribes stronger punishments). In a proposal sent to the central government regarding an amendment to the PCA Act, 1960, PETA India has recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.