Criminalise Animal Sexual Abuse: Fill the Dangerous Gap in the Law!
Criminalise Animal Sexual Abuse: Fill the Dangerous Gap in the Law!
The Issue
To:
The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India;
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs;
The Ministry of Law and Justice;
The Members of Parliament,
India today faces a disturbing legal void there is currently no law that specifically criminalizes sexual violence against animals. Until 2023, such offences were prosecuted under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. However, with the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which came into force on July 1, 2024, Section 377 was repealed, eliminating the only provision that addressed sexual abuse of animals.
Animals in India are completely vulnerable to sexual abuse - without a specific provision to prosecute perpetrators. Please sign this petition to demand a law that criminalises animal sexual abuse.
On October 3, 2023, FIAPO (Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations) submitted a detailed representation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, chaired by Mr. Brij Lal, highlighting the grave consequences of removing Section 377 without introducing alternative safeguards. The Committee itself acknowledged the risk of leaving such offences unpunished.
Yet, despite this, the final law passed without addressing these concerns. After the President’s assent on December 25, 2023, FIAPO continued its advocacy, submitting a fresh representation on August 20, 2024, to the Ministry of Home Affairs and other key ministries, urging the reintroduction of legal provisions to protect animals from sexual violence. We also reached out to several Members of Parliament known for championing social justice. However, no corrective action has been taken. Existing laws such as Section 325 of the BNS and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, are wholly inadequate.
Following our efforts, we filed a writ petition before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, which then took note of this statutory vacuum in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on 28.05.2025, and directed the Government to "treat the present writ petition as a representation and decide the same as expeditiously as possible.” It was further observed that: "we are of the opinion that the issue raised herein may have a substantial impact and ought to be considered by the State." Yet, no legislative or executive action has been taken. LINK
Henceforth, this petition is a renewed public call urging the Government of India to:
-Amend the BNS 2023 to introduce a specific section criminalising sexual violence against animals or enact a standalone law on the subject by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 to expressly criminalise and provide deterrent penalties for the crime.
-Recognise animals as victims of sexual crimes, not just objects of human perversion.
Why it matters to YOU:
History: Section 377 had some lacunas within its origins, framed under colonial values that did not recognise animals as sentient victims, but rather labelled the offender as morally deviant. Even then, it allowed some degree of prosecution for animal rape. Its removal has not only undone that possibility but has also left India behind at a time when many countries are progressing in recognising animal rights and welfare.
FIAPO’s report: We have recently published a report on sexual crimes against animals, emphasizing the connection between animal sexual abuse and other offenses. The report includes documented cases of sexual crimes against animals from 2004 to 2025, global legal provisions on the issue, and detailed alternative sections under the BNS that address such offenses. LINK
Animal sexual abuse is strongly linked to human violence: Research has established a strong connection between violence against animals and crimes against humans, including sexual and interpersonal violence. Studies indicate that individuals involved in sexual abuse of animals are likely to perpetrate crimes against humans, making it imperative to address such offenses to ensure societal safety. These research shows that the animals are the first victims before perpetrators progress to other forms of violence.
Global: Globally, countries such as the USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, South Korea, and many others have specific laws criminalising sexual crimes against animals. In contrast, India’s existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act is silent and does not recognise sexual violence against animals as a distinct offence. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 intended to modernise the criminal justice system and address legal gaps has unfortunately done the opposite by removing the only provision that covered such crimes. This is despite widespread condemnation by global scientific and legal communities, who classify such acts as a perversion, a psychological disorder, and a grave moral failure.
A Moving Appeal to Every Conscience:
Animals cannot speak, they cannot plead for justice, and they cannot escape the cruelty/violence inflicted upon them. They depend on us the humans, the lawmakers, the citizens, to protect them. To allow such horrific crimes to go unpunished is to allow violence both against animals and humans. It is to turn away from suffering simply because it is silent. And silence, in the face of such pain, is betrayal.
Laws are not just instruments of punishment they are statements of who we are as a people. They reflect what we stand for, what we cherish, and what we will not tolerate. It is time we say clearly: India will not tolerate sexual violence against animals going unpunished due to absence of LAW.
If we want a just and compassionate society, one where violence is not normalized and empathy is not eroded, we must act now. Let us be remembered as the generation that didn’t look away. Let us be remembered as the voice that stood for the voiceless.
The Constitution of India mandates the State under Article 48A to protect the environment and Citizens under Article 51A(g) to have compassion for all living creatures. This silence is not compassion it is complicity.
By signing this petition, you are demanding justice and protection not only for animals but for our society as a whole. Research has consistently shown that individuals who abuse animals are more likely to commit violent crimes against humans. Your voice sends a strong message to lawmakers: we will not stay silent.
SIGN. SHARE. STAND UP.
✍️ Sign this petition now to support the reinstatement of a stronger law addressing sexual crimes against animals, formerly referred to as bestiality.
#CriminaliseSexualAbuseOfAnimals #AmendPCA #AnimalJustice
#ProtectAnimals #AnimalsNeedProtectionFromSexualAbuse
#ActForAnimalsNow
9,948
The Issue
To:
The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India;
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs;
The Ministry of Law and Justice;
The Members of Parliament,
India today faces a disturbing legal void there is currently no law that specifically criminalizes sexual violence against animals. Until 2023, such offences were prosecuted under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. However, with the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which came into force on July 1, 2024, Section 377 was repealed, eliminating the only provision that addressed sexual abuse of animals.
Animals in India are completely vulnerable to sexual abuse - without a specific provision to prosecute perpetrators. Please sign this petition to demand a law that criminalises animal sexual abuse.
On October 3, 2023, FIAPO (Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations) submitted a detailed representation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, chaired by Mr. Brij Lal, highlighting the grave consequences of removing Section 377 without introducing alternative safeguards. The Committee itself acknowledged the risk of leaving such offences unpunished.
Yet, despite this, the final law passed without addressing these concerns. After the President’s assent on December 25, 2023, FIAPO continued its advocacy, submitting a fresh representation on August 20, 2024, to the Ministry of Home Affairs and other key ministries, urging the reintroduction of legal provisions to protect animals from sexual violence. We also reached out to several Members of Parliament known for championing social justice. However, no corrective action has been taken. Existing laws such as Section 325 of the BNS and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, are wholly inadequate.
Following our efforts, we filed a writ petition before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, which then took note of this statutory vacuum in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on 28.05.2025, and directed the Government to "treat the present writ petition as a representation and decide the same as expeditiously as possible.” It was further observed that: "we are of the opinion that the issue raised herein may have a substantial impact and ought to be considered by the State." Yet, no legislative or executive action has been taken. LINK
Henceforth, this petition is a renewed public call urging the Government of India to:
-Amend the BNS 2023 to introduce a specific section criminalising sexual violence against animals or enact a standalone law on the subject by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 to expressly criminalise and provide deterrent penalties for the crime.
-Recognise animals as victims of sexual crimes, not just objects of human perversion.
Why it matters to YOU:
History: Section 377 had some lacunas within its origins, framed under colonial values that did not recognise animals as sentient victims, but rather labelled the offender as morally deviant. Even then, it allowed some degree of prosecution for animal rape. Its removal has not only undone that possibility but has also left India behind at a time when many countries are progressing in recognising animal rights and welfare.
FIAPO’s report: We have recently published a report on sexual crimes against animals, emphasizing the connection between animal sexual abuse and other offenses. The report includes documented cases of sexual crimes against animals from 2004 to 2025, global legal provisions on the issue, and detailed alternative sections under the BNS that address such offenses. LINK
Animal sexual abuse is strongly linked to human violence: Research has established a strong connection between violence against animals and crimes against humans, including sexual and interpersonal violence. Studies indicate that individuals involved in sexual abuse of animals are likely to perpetrate crimes against humans, making it imperative to address such offenses to ensure societal safety. These research shows that the animals are the first victims before perpetrators progress to other forms of violence.
Global: Globally, countries such as the USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, South Korea, and many others have specific laws criminalising sexual crimes against animals. In contrast, India’s existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act is silent and does not recognise sexual violence against animals as a distinct offence. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 intended to modernise the criminal justice system and address legal gaps has unfortunately done the opposite by removing the only provision that covered such crimes. This is despite widespread condemnation by global scientific and legal communities, who classify such acts as a perversion, a psychological disorder, and a grave moral failure.
A Moving Appeal to Every Conscience:
Animals cannot speak, they cannot plead for justice, and they cannot escape the cruelty/violence inflicted upon them. They depend on us the humans, the lawmakers, the citizens, to protect them. To allow such horrific crimes to go unpunished is to allow violence both against animals and humans. It is to turn away from suffering simply because it is silent. And silence, in the face of such pain, is betrayal.
Laws are not just instruments of punishment they are statements of who we are as a people. They reflect what we stand for, what we cherish, and what we will not tolerate. It is time we say clearly: India will not tolerate sexual violence against animals going unpunished due to absence of LAW.
If we want a just and compassionate society, one where violence is not normalized and empathy is not eroded, we must act now. Let us be remembered as the generation that didn’t look away. Let us be remembered as the voice that stood for the voiceless.
The Constitution of India mandates the State under Article 48A to protect the environment and Citizens under Article 51A(g) to have compassion for all living creatures. This silence is not compassion it is complicity.
By signing this petition, you are demanding justice and protection not only for animals but for our society as a whole. Research has consistently shown that individuals who abuse animals are more likely to commit violent crimes against humans. Your voice sends a strong message to lawmakers: we will not stay silent.
SIGN. SHARE. STAND UP.
✍️ Sign this petition now to support the reinstatement of a stronger law addressing sexual crimes against animals, formerly referred to as bestiality.
#CriminaliseSexualAbuseOfAnimals #AmendPCA #AnimalJustice
#ProtectAnimals #AnimalsNeedProtectionFromSexualAbuse
#ActForAnimalsNow
9,948
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Petition created on 31 July 2025