FIR Registered Against Great Bombay Circus by Mysuru Police for Lacerating Birds’ Wings, Following Complaint by PETA India

After receiving a complaint from PETA India, Mysuru police registered a first information report (FIR) on 9 October against the proprietor of Great Bombay Circus for cutting the wings of birds used in its performances, to prevent them from flying away. The PETA India investigator further observed that the circus was also using dogs and birds to perform acts which were not registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) – for instance, the dogs are made to walk sideways on their front legs on the edge of the ring, while the birds are made to pull a miniature cart as another bird balances on it. The AWBI is the prescribed authority under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, which regulates the use of animals for performances in the country.

The FIR was registered at the Nazarbad police station, Mysuru, for a cognisable offence under Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, for maiming the birds. Further, the FIR also records violation of sections 3 and 11(1)(a) (for causing unnecessary and pain and suffering to animals, 11(1) (l) (for mutilation of birds), and sections 26 and 38 (for performing unregistered acts/tricks) of the PCA Act, 1960. Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi and her team People For Animals (PFA), Mysuru, also extended support to get the FIR registered.

Several AWBI inspections and numerous investigations by PETA India prove that circuses using animals are inherently cruel: in them, animals are continuously chained or confined to small, barren cages; deprived of veterinary care and adequate food, water, and shelter; and denied everything that’s natural and important to them. Through physical abuse with weapons, they’re forced to perform confusing, uncomfortable, and even painful tricks. Many display stereotypic, repetitive behaviour indicative of extreme stress.

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