Victory: Three More Illegal Greyhound Dog Races Stopped in Punjab After PETA India Complaint, Legal Action Underway for Two Races That Occurred
Upon receiving reports of greyhound dog races scheduled to take place in Punjab, PETA India took immediate action to ensure these unlawful events were called off. They were scheduled to take place in Sri Muktsar Sahib on 6 December, SAS Nagar Mohali on 8 December, and Lasoi village, Malerkotla, on 10 December. Upon learning of these planned events, PETA India promptly alerted senior police officials in all three districts. As a result of police intervention, the races were called off, preventing cruelty to numerous greyhound dogs. However, a race in Ghaloti village, Ludhiana, took place on 07 December, and another race near Ropar Jail took place in Rupnagar on 15 December. PETA India has filed complaint urging that FIRs be registered against the organisers and participants of both these races.
Greyhound racing involves forcing dogs to race at such dangerously high speeds that it puts a tremendous strain on their bodies, often causing them to suffer injuries or death. They are typically confined to kennels and forced to stand in their filth when not used. Dogs who lose may face harsh abuses, such as abandonment or being killed. Injuries, exhaustion, and psychological trauma are common in spectacles in which animals are forced to race, which prioritises gambling over the welfare of the animals.
Recently, PETA India, working with senior police officials, also successfully prevented illegal greyhound races across multiple locations: Samrala village, Ludhiana, Punjab (30 November); Chung village, Tarn Taran, Punjab (27 November); Yamuna Nagar, Haryana (25 November); and Moga, Punjab (24 November).
In its complaint, PETA India stated that under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, animals cannot be legally used for training, exhibition, or performances without prior approval from the Animal Welfare Board of India. Additionally, such races violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which prohibits inflicting unnecessary suffering on animals.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 specifically criminalizes inciting animals to fight with other animals. In the landmark judgment of Animal Welfare Board of India vs A Nagaraja & Ors (Civil Appeal No 5387/2014) of 7 May 2014, the Supreme Court clarified that activities such as animal racing come within the purview of animal fights as they involve forcing animals into competitive and harmful situations, akin to incitement to fight.
