Kolkata Man Booked for Killing 4-Month-Old Kitten by Throwing Them From 13th Floor
After learning that a man killed a 4–month–old kitten by throwing them from the 13th floor of a building, PETA India worked with the man’s wife, Fabiha Hashmi, to file a formal complaint with Tangra Police Station. Based on Ms Hashmi’s complaint, a first information report was registered against the accused under sections 323, 341, and 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and Section 11(1) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. The shocking incident was reported to PETA India by a concerned family friend. PETA India was informed that in a fit of rage during a fight with his wife, the accused picked up the kitten, who was sleeping beside the couple’s daughter, and threw the animal out of the window, killing him immediately.
PETA India 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 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 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PETA India has long campaigned for strengthening the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the IPC prescribes more severe consequences). In a proposal sent to the central government regarding an amendment to the PCA Act, 1960, PETA India recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.
