Following a PETA India Complaint, Agra Police Register FIR Against Man for Beating a Dog to Death
After learning that a man allegedly killed a community dog in the Peer Kalyani area of Agra by first beating the animal with a stick and then smashing them onto the ground multiple times, PETA India worked with a concerned citizen who reported the incident and with senior officials of Agra police to have a first information report (FIR) registered. The FIR was registered by Hariparwat Police Station under sections 428 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and Section 11 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
PETA India also recommends that perpetrators of animal abuse 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, convicted of raping and murdering a Kerala law student, had a history of raping and killing dogs and goats. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that 71% of abused women who sought shelter at a safe home and had companion animals confirmed that their partner had threatened, injured, or killed the animals.
PETA India has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders, although the IPC prescribes more severe punishments.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.
Those who abuse animals often move on to harming humans.
