Muzaffarnagar Police Register FIR for Attack on Dog That Caused Multiple Fractures, Following PETA India Intervention
Following a complaint filed by Punit Arora, a local activist and founder of LIC Animals Khatauli, with support from PETA India, Muzaffarnagar police registered a first information report (FIR) against three individuals – one identified man and two unknown persons – who repeatedly beat a dog with thick wooden sticks, causing multiple fractures. An FIR was registered by Khatauli Police Station under sections 325 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. The dog is currently undergoing treatment and is under the care of local caregivers.
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 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PETA India has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the BNS, 2023, 1860, prescribes stronger punishments). In a proposal sent to the central government regarding an amendment to the PCA Act, PETA India recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.
