PETA India’s Cruelty Response Teams’ Top 10 Lifesaving Actions in 2024
PETA India’s Cruelty Response Division worked on over 3,000 cruelty cases in 2024. Wherever animals are in need, PETA India’s Cruelty Response Team stand ready to act. They respond to countless distress calls, rescue animals from horrific situations, and take legally necessary actions against abusers. Here are the top 10 actions of 2024:
- 22 Horses Rescued from Illegal Racing
PETA India’s relentless efforts rescued 22 horses forced into illegal racing across highways in Mumbai and Thane districts. This victory was achieved through multiple rescues: four horses were seized in Mumbai, then twelve more. In Thane, six horses were rescued. After reviewing abusive race footage, PETA India collaborated closely with Mumbai and Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar Police to ensure these horses were freed from exploitation and rehabilitated to reputed sanctuaries, offering them the care and dignity they deserve.
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- Illegal Animal Races Prevented Nationwide
Illegal races exploiting animals were stopped in multiple states. Horse cart, horse-and-bull cart, and bull cart races were halted in Kolhapur. Four greyhound races were stopped in Punjab and Haryana, followed by three additional greyhound races in Punjab. Horse races were prevented in Sangli. Bullock and horse-cart races were stopped in Ludhiana. PETA India acted swiftly upon learning about these illegal races, alerting local police in the respective locations to intervene and put an end to these cruel practices.
- Cracking Down on Animal Fights
From buffalo fights in Assam to dogfighting in Ghaziabad and ram and bull fighting in Rachakonda, PETA India’s complaints led to the registration of FIRs against illegal animal fights across different states. These swift police actions sent a powerful message that cruelty for entertainment is unacceptable. In a significant recent victory, the Gauhati High Court banned buffalo and bulbul fights in response to petitions filed by PETA India.
- Around 2000 Birds Rescued from Illegal Trade
PETA India rescued around 2000 birds—including parakeets, mynas, and munias—from illegal wildlife trade and unlawful possession across India. This achievement includes rescuing parakeets kept illegally in small cages at a sugarcane juice vendor’s shop in Kanpur, recovering over 700 birds from Parade Bazar in Kanpur, saving two parakeets from a slum in Yerawada, Pune. Another raid in Pune, in collaboration with forest officials, rescued three parakeets from a residence in Aundh. After our complaint, two parakeets were rescued and released by the Namakkal Forest Division. PETA India worked with the Jharkhand Forest Department, saving 30 parakeets from an illegal makeshift pet shop. In Mumbai, PETA India collaborated with the Thane Forest Division to rescue one parakeet. In Delhi, multiple rescues included four parakeets from a Moti Nagar pet shop raid, two parakeets seized at New Delhi railway station following a whistleblower alert, 150 parakeets recovered during a raid near Jama Masjid, and over 1,000 birds recovered from Kabutar Market near Jama Masjid. PETA India’s collaborations with local officials and whistleblowers were crucial in these operations. These rescues highlight the grim reality of wildlife trafficking and the urgent need to combat it to protect animals from exploitation.
- Fighting Crimes Against Wildlife
The year 2024 witnessed numerous heartbreaking wildlife crimes, including the abuse of snakes, such as the killing of a cobra in Ballia and python abuse in Vijayawada, Goa, and Noida. PETA India also rescued monkeys, including a rhesus macaque in Aurangabad, a gray langur tied to a tree in Agra, a rhesus macaque from a temple in Gwalior, and a gray langur chained inside a cage for over two years in Telangana. After PETA India’s complaint, the Mandsaur Forest Division booked three men for hunting a hare, and seven men were booked for hunting protected birds in Suryapet, Telangana. Two Indian star tortoises were seized from a pet shop, and a brown roofed turtle was rescued from illegal captivity at a hotel in Uttar Pradesh. Two porcupines were also rescued from illegal confinement. PETA India collaborated with local authorities to register cases against those who tortured these wild animals. These crimes, punishable by fines of ₹25,000–1,00,000 or imprisonment of 3–7 years, highlight the urgent need to protect wildlife.
- Over 100 FIRs Registered for Cruelty Cases
In 2024, PETA India helped register nearly 100 FIRs against perpetrators of heinous cruelty to animals. Cases included scalding a mouse to death, killing a hen by biting off the bird’s head during a dance performance, running over cows, illegal bullock cart racing in Palakkad, artist Kon Wai beheading a chicken and drinking the bird’s blood during a performance, camel slated to be slaughtered for meat in Anantapur and three bulls used for racing dying from severe injuries. PETA India worked with local police to ensure FIRs were filed, supporting stricter penalties for offenders and reinforcing accountability for cruelty to animals.
- Strengthening Legal Provisions in FIRs
PETA India worked with the police to include stricter legal provisions in existing cases against individuals who tortured animals. This included adding charges under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, for an acid attack on dogs; detaining a Bulandshahr teen who tortured a cat, abused protected wildlife, and was involved in child sexual abuse; and applying stringent wildlife laws in the case of an elephant killed with a flaming spear in Jhargram. These measures ensure more robust legal action against animal abusers.
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- 40 Animals Relinquished and Rehabilitated
From neglected rabbits rescued from a pet shop in Greater Noida to dogs abandoned in a dump yard, an aged and sick boxer dog rescued from a hotel in Navi Mumbai, a pigeon suspected of being used for spying that was released, neglected animals kept in deplorable conditions at a local facility, five geese rescued from a cemetery in Mumbai, and two dogs saved from a residence in Bangalore, PETA India’s efforts led to the rehabilitation of over 40 animals. These animals are now safe in sanctuaries.
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- Preventing Animal Sacrifice
PETA India’s campaigns stopped the sacrifice of roosters in Kozhikode. These efforts saved lives and raised awareness about the importance of compassionate traditions.
- Illegal Dog Boarding Centre Shut Down
An abusive dog training and boarding centre in Jodhpur was shut down following PETA India’s intervention. This victory reflects the power of collective action to end cruelty.
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None of these lifesaving rescues and legal actions would have been possible without the compassion and quick thinking of PETA India supporters and local authorities who took action when animals needed them.
If you see an animal in distress, take a photo or video, document as much information as possible, and contact authorities. If you’re unsure what to do, contact PETA India for guidance.
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