A dog lay on the corner of a busy street, too weak to lift up its head, and too tired to react as people walked by. Most people didn't stop because they weren't heartless, but they learnt to keep moving. Cruelty lives in the quiet after the attack, as well as from the attack itself.
It is clear from the experiences of recent cases, how terrible animal abuse can be. A video showing a man forcing alcohol into the mouth of a stray dog and others laughing took the rounds in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. Another man was accused of sexually assaulting a stray dog in Mumbai's Versova area, which was reportedly filmed by a passerby. Both incidents quickly went viral, both made viewers go 'what about animal abuse?', and both left people wondering what they should actually do when they see animal abuse.
The answer is important, as anger alone will not aid the animal. Knowing the signs and understanding the law and acting promptly helps.
Signs of Animal Abuse
Animal abuse can be subtle and not always apparent. It can appear as neglect not active violence.A pet or stray may be suffering if you notice any of the following:
- No regular feed and water.
- No protection from weather, no shelter, no shade.
- Chain around all day and unable to move.
- Evidence of beating, burns or injuries.
- Unexpected abandonment particularly when a family relocates.
- To make an animal fight.
- Allowing an animal to be overburdened.
When in doubt, report it anyway! Let a qualified authority decide whether it qualifies as abuse.
Laws You Should Mention
In India, there are two laws of particular significance to consider if a crime involving animal abuse is committed.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
This is the main animal welfare law in the country. It provides an opportunity for authorities to intervene, and in some cases, to take an animal out of a bad situation. Many, however, have very light penalties so that complaints also are made under other laws.
Section 428 and 429 of the Indian penal Code
These parts refer to the killing or injuring of animals. When the animal is worth more than ₹10, he/she can be imprisoned for not more than five years or fined or both. When making a complaint, reference to these sections and the animal cruelty law is beneficial.
Clear video and/or photos can make action happen much more quickly in serious cases as there is no doubt and no hesitation to act quickly and effectively.
What To Do First
When you see animal abuse, do it carefully and swiftly. Here are some steps that can be taken:
- Take photos or videos as evidence.
- Note the date, time and location of the incident.
- Avoid confrontation with the accused if this could put you in danger.
- lodge an FIR/ Complaint with the Police Station.
- Be explicit about the animal cruelty law, and relevant sections of IPC.
- Call an animal welfare organization and get veterinary care for the animal.
- Continue to follow up until the case is officially recognized.
Most important is to keep your evidence organized. Simple details, such as a landmark, vehicle number, witness name, etc. can enhance the complaint.
Who To Contact
It may be possible for an NGO or local rescue group to arrive quicker than formal systems alone in case of urgent need. There are groups that respond to issues regarding animal welfare in Hyderabad such as Blue Cross of Hyderabad and People For Animals.
Additionally, the Animal Welfare Board of India may be notified in the case of serious or repeated cruelty. Escalation is often important to make sure the complaint is not left unaddressed.
Why Reporting Matters
Animal abuse is not a trivial matter. Without opposition to it, brutality becomes commonplace and breeds further violence. If communities do not take action to stop abuse, they risk experiencing more harm down the road.
There's also a constitutional issue. Article 51A was a provision in the Indian Constitution, which implores citizens to be compassionate towards living things. It is not enough to simply be kind to animals, it is also our civic duty.
What One Call Can Do
One report can make a difference in changing a life. After a passerby called for help, a chained dog on one street was fed, treated and made safe. The caller never heard any of the details of the complaint, but the fact that the dog survived showed that action did make a difference.
No legal skills required for helping an animal. You need to notice, document and report. Ten minutes of effort may be the difference between rescue and suffering.
