Punjab Men Booked for Shooting, Killing Their Own Dog

After learning that a video of a man shooting and killing a pit bull in Punjab – where pit bulls are frequently used for dogfighting – went viral on social media, PETA fired off a letter to the Director General of Police in Punjab to register a First Information Report (FIR). The group then worked closely with police to file a case under Section 429 of The Indian Penal Code as well as under sections 11(1)(a) and (l) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, and to help nab the perpetrators, who were booked for the crime on Friday, 8 December, and were thereafter immediately arrested by the police.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3tVcix4J-I

PETA notes that pit bulls are widely used in Punjab for dogfights, a cruel and illegal blood sport in which dogs are left mangled, bloody, soaked in urine and saliva, and unable to walk. After the fights, the “losing” dogs are often tortured, shot, or just left to suffer and die from fatal injuries inflicted by their opponents.

Since research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals or humans, PETA has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders.

You Can Help
Weak cruelty penalties cause animal suffering. Call for stricter punishments for animal abusers: