Jhunjhunu Police Register FIR for Breaking of Puppy’s Limbs; PETA India Offers Reward of Up to Rs 50,000 for Information Leading to Arrest

After learning that a 3-month old puppy was subjected to spine-chilling torture on the campus of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS)–Pilani, PETA India worked with local activist Sameer Siddiqui to register a first information report (FIR) at Police Station Pilani against the unidentified perpetrator(s). The puppy’s limbs had all been broken, she had sustained cuts to her body, and there had apparently been an attempt to drown her. Police registered an FIR under sections 34 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and Section 11(1) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. PETA India is offering a reward of up to Rs 50,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for harming the puppy.

Anyone with information about the perpetrator(s) can contact PETA India’s animal emergency helpline on 9820122602 or at [email protected]. Informants’ identities will be kept confidential upon request.

Sameer Siddiqui reported the incident to PETA India after he said his requests to management at BITS-Pilani to take action in the case were ignored. Surprisingly, after he filed a police complaint with PETA India’s support, he and his family – the primary caregivers for the community dogs residing on the institute’s campus – are no longer allowed to enter the premises to feed or administer medication to the dogs.

Rajasthan Animal Welfare Board, upon receiving a complaint, passed directions and constituted an Animal Welfare Committee under Rule 20(2) of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, to resolve the issue of the mistreatment of community animals and the ban on the caregivers for community dogs from entering the institute’s campus.

In a letter, PETA India called on management at the institute to conduct an internal inquiry regarding the incident, cooperate with a police investigation, and allow the primary caregivers of the community dogs, Sameer Siddiqui and his family, to enter the campus. Regrettably, PETA India has not received a response.

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

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 act, PETA India recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.