Treating animals cruelly is punishable with a fine of ONLY Rs. 10 which may extend to Rs. 50 on first conviction. On subsequent conviction within three years of a previous offence, it is punishable with a fine of ONLY Rs. 25 which may extend to Rs. 100 or imprisonment of three months or with both. Performing any other operations to improve lactation which is injurious to the health of the animal is punishable with a fine of Rs. 1000 or imprisonment up to 2 years or both.

Animals are voiceless creatures and we all need to stand up for them. Whenever a human commits a crime against another human there is a huge repercussion. But the same logic is not applied when a crime or cruelty is committed against an animal

Most people don’t treat animals as living creatures with emotions, feelings or rights. We take them for granted as they can’t express themselves like humans can. We forget that even animals can be hurt and when people treat them cruelly and they too feel pain just like us. Unfortunately the consequences for such acts are not a deterrent at all. 

Do you think an amount of Rs.50 will make a difference to anybody? Do you think this has a deterrent effect on anyone? The answer is NO. In fact nowadays even a packet of chips costs more than Rs 50. And we have that meagre amount as a fine for cruelty and killing towards animals. It is really shameful.

The provisions for animal protection in the Indian Constitution remain principles instead of laws enforced in courts. The penalties under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 for cruelty against animals are simply not strict enough to truly deter crimes against animals. 

I therefore request you to:

1.    Amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to have a strong deterrent effect. The fine for cruelty should increase to 1 Lakh with imprisonment in jail for one year. The fine for killing the animals should be increased to 3 Lakh with imprisonment in jail for three years. 

 

2.    Implement and enforce Article 51A of our Constitution 

 

3.    Introduce special courts just for dealing with various animals issues and cases

 

4.    Reward those people who set up rescue and rehabilitation centres and encourage others to do it 

 

5.    Set up more hospitals which are open 24/7 and 365 days of the year

 

If you think animals deserve more rights please sign this petition.