Mumbai: PETA India Offers Reward of Up to Rs. 50,000 for Information on Suspects Leading to Arrest in Horrific Killing of Five Dogs

Upon learning through a news article about a gruesome case in which five dogs were allegedly killed by drowning after their mouths and legs were tied, a local group filed a complaint with the Kandivali police station, based on which an FIR was registered. Out of the five bodies, only two were suitable for postmortem examination. The identities of those responsible are currently unknown, and the police are investigating to gather information on the suspects. To help, 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 persons responsible for torturing the dogs.

The FIR was registered on 11 November at Kandivali police station following a complaint from the chairman of Mangalmay Tower, a housing society in Kandivali West, with the support of members of the PAL organisation led by Senior Police Inspector Sudhir Kudalkar of MHB police station. A first information report (FIR) was registered against unidentified individuals under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960. Section 325 of the BNS, 2023, makes the maiming or killing of any animal a cognisable offence and provides for a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both.

Anyone with information about this crime can contact PETA India at [email protected]. Informants’ identities will be kept confidential upon request.

 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 cruelty to animals to animals were [three] 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PETA India has long campaigned for strengthening the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the BNS, 2023, prescribes stronger punishments).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.

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