FIR Registered Against Staff and Management at Vetic Pet Clinic for Dastardly Assault on Companion Dog, Following PETA India Complaint
On 15 February, in response to a viral video shared by actors Sonu Sood, Varun Dhawan, and Malaika Arora, and several others in which two staff members at Vetic Pet Clinic in Thane are seen punching a dog repeatedly in the face and body – with one staffer kicking the canine while the other records the incident and partakes in the beating – PETA India filed a formal complaint with Chitalsar Manpada Police Station and a first information report was registered against the staffers and the clinic’s manager and owner under sections 34, 114, and 511 read with Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and Section 11(1)(a) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. The staff members in the video have reportedly been fired. Vijay Rangare of People for Animals has also been working on the case.
PETA India advises all area veterinary clinics and other places of business where animals are present to check the information of job applicants carefully to help ensure that these abusers do not get the opportunity to work with animals again. PETA India also asks that guardians remain with their dogs during grooming services.
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 confirmed that their partner had threatened, injured, or killed the animals.
PETA India has long campaigned for strengthening the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the IPC prescribes stronger punishments).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 PCA Act, PETA India has recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.
