Ever wondered why crime against animals is increasing at a rapid rate yet the offenders go unpunished? The answer lies in our outdated laws. This is the reason why we are falling short in delivering justice to animals.

Animal Cruelty in India has taken a new turn in recent years. From a litter of pups being mercilessly killed in front of their mother, to a security guard beating up a dog for entering the locality seeking shelter. This does not end here. A few days back, a cow was raped and killed in a dairy. In a country like India, we need stricter laws that punish the perpetrators of animal cruelty, not to get away with it. These are some of the reported cases. Similar cases happen every day yet very few voiceless animals get to taste justice. It is the need of the hour to fight for stricter laws against animal cruelty. As per the law, the life of an animal costs 50INR. The Animal Protection Act was passed in 1960 and it is the need of the hour that these archaic laws are updated. As per various reports, it is evident that various criminals have possibly indulged in animal cruelty during their childhood or at some point in their lives. This is a scientifically proven fact that those who are cruel to animals are likely to be cruel to humans too. This needs to stop now!

The biggest problem lies in the fact that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act has not been amended after getting legislated in 1960. Between 2012 and 2016, there were over 24,000 cases of animal cruelty reported under the PCA. Since then we’ve seen horrific cases of crimes against animals, such as the death of Shaktiman the police horse in March 2016, beating and killing of a dog in Chennai in 2019, poisoning of 50 stray dogs also in 2019, and most recently, the cold-blooded murder of a pregnant Elephant in Kerala a few weeks ago.

Subjection of an animal to any of the acts, specified under 11(1) (a) to (o) of the Act, makes the offender (in the case of a first offence) liable to pay a fine that may extend to only fifty rupees. In the case of a second offence or a subsequent offence committed within three years of the previous offence, the offender shall be made to pay a fine of not less than twenty-five rupees, the quantum of which may also extend to one hundred rupees or the offender may be imprisoned for a term which may extend to three months or both.

As per reliable sources, acts of cruelty to animals are indicative of a deep mental disturbance and often, animal abusers move on to harm humans. For example, in a study of domestic violence victims, 60 per cent of women said that their abusive partners had harmed or killed their dogs or other animals. Animal abusers are a danger to everyone – they take their issues out on whoever is available to them, human or non-human, and must be stopped before they act again.

In such circumstances, laws that impose a fine of rupees 50 won’t even teach the offender a lesson, let alone prevent others from acting the same way. Such light laws are harmful to our society and animals, as it leads to the offenders repeating their crimes again and that too at a more intense level.

This petition focuses on ensuring that stricter punishments are added in The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 with appropriate and major amendments. If the law would not be rigid then the offenders will always be getting a leeway.

Just like Human Rights it’s high time we start valuing the lives of animals. Since these voiceless creatures cannot stand up for their rights, this petition seeks to ensure that with the appropriate amendments and stricter punishments (such as increasing the fine to a whooping amount and increasing the tenure of the imprisonment) animals can see the light of justice. Additionally, all lives should be treated equally before the law. Therefore, the punishment of taking a human life and an animal life should be proportionate.

Furthermore, proper laws regarding cruel breeding methods and the violence these animals face by their owners should also be mentioned. A proper framework for these laws can be followed by some countries with impeccable animal welfare laws. For Instance, Switzerland became the first country to ban the activities that are deemed degrading to the dignity of animals. In the United Kingdom, negligence of an animal may cause a lifetime ban on owning a pet. Also, in Germany animals are protected by the constitution. A country is made up of its people, resources and animals. If we cannot foster a safe environment for them then the system will collapse.

Kindly do your bit and sign this petition. We cannot see one more animal life being taken away. The change should happen NOW.