Govt. Proposes 75,000 Fine for Cruelty Towards Animals
To prevent abuse against animals, the government has prepared a draft to amend the 60-years-old Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in which they have proposed a penalty of 75,000 rupees or jail up t
Currently according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act which is 60-years-old, if any person breaks the rules they shall be punishable with a fine of maximum one hundred rupees, or with imprisonment for maximum three months or both. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Rajya Sabha Member, while referring to a case in Kerala where an elephant was suspected to have consumed a fruit filled with firecrackers, raised the question about the need for amending current act. Minister of Fisheries, Animal husbandry and Dairying Giriraj Singh in a written response said, "The need for amending the PCA, 1960, by introducing more stringent penalties has been recognised by the government. The draft amendment worked out includes increasing monetary penalties and punishment provisions."
The government has said 316 cases relating to cruelty to animals were pending in various courts across the country. 64 such cases were pending in Supreme Court while 38 were pending in Delhi High Court. To prevent abuse against animals, the government has prepared a draft to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. In the draft the government has proposed a penalty of Rs 750- Rs 75,000 rupees or three times the cost of the animal or jail up to 5 years. If an act of an individual or an organisation leads to an animal's death, then both Rs 75,000 and jail up to five years will be imposed on the individual or organisation. Three categories of offences have been proposed in the draft which includes minor injury, major injury leading to permanent disability, and death of an animal due to cruelty.
