Animals are living beings, just like us humans, and so it makes perfect sense that they should enjoy the same rights that we do. 

But, we all know that they don’t. 

Thanks to power, privilege and voice, humans have been conveniently flouting animal laws and it is high time the guilty are held accountable for the same. 

Here are a few incidents of animal cruelty that qualify as ‘offence’ under various sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA).

Offences under Section 11.

1. Recently, a man allegedly crushes a puppy to death just because it drank water from his canteen.

The guy kicked the dog twice, held it by its ears and threw it in front of an auto coming from the opposite direction. This was in direct violation of Clause A of the Section, which prohibits torturing or causing unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal.

2. In July it was reported that the ‘wedding horses’ in Delhi are spiked for events, which, in extreme cases, leads to tearing apart of their lips and tongue.

Apart from that, it also causes pain, bloody wounds, immense psychological trauma and lifelong physical damage, which breaks Clause B of the same Section – which prohibits employing any animal, which, by reason of its age or any disease is unfit to be so employed.

3. Recently, at least 100 stray dogs were allegedly poisoned and killed in a township in Hyderabad, to eliminate them from the area.

Apparently, dog killers were hired for the task, which makes this a disturbing case of willfully and unreasonably administering any injurious drug or injurious substance into an animal.

4. There are multiple poultry farms where egg-laying hens are stuffed in battery cages roughly measuring 623.7 cm2, which – for perspective – is almost as small as an A4 sheet. 

The clause (e) of the Section 11 of PCA makes it illegal to use battery cages for egg production, but it is constantly and blatantly flouted by most people in the poultry business. 

5. In December 2017, an animal rights activist found an abandoned pet on the streets with her hind legs fractured and brittle.

It was forced to breed too many times by the owner, and was later abandoned. This is infringement of the clause which says abandoning any animal in circumstances which render it likely that it will suffer pain by reason of starvation or thirst, is prohibited. 

6. PETA India recently released footage of chicken being mutilated in battery cages, raising concerns over the manner in which these animals are kept and raised. 

After the hens stop producing eggs, workers pack them into crowded trucks, and many don’t survive the gruelling trip to the slaughterhouse: PETA further pointed out. Mutilating or killing an animal in this manner is prohibited under Section 11(1)(l) and is a cognizable offence.

Sections 12 and 22

7. Administering oxytocin to stimulate the release of milk in cows, is a common practice in India and there have been reports that the drug causes animals, pain as intense as labour. 

Although illegal and cognizable under Section 12, the practice is very common in India, and can be witnessed in the milk industry. 

8. Exhibition and training of performing animals (for entertainment) still happens across the country, and more often than not, causes immense trauma and suffering to the animals. 

Section 22 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 restricts the exhibition and training of performing animals, unless the person interested in exhibiting and training the animal is registered in accordance with provisions of the Act.

Additionally, monkeys are protected under the Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972 which prohibits displaying or owning them.

I will end this article with a fundamental duty of all Indians.

Article 51A (g) of Indian constitution says that every citizen of India should have compassion for all living creatures. Are we really fulfilling this duty, though?