10 Laws & Rights To Protect Stray Animals In India That Every Animal Lover Should Be Aware Of
DR. SP SINGH,SANJAY GANDHI ANIMAL HOSPITAL NEW DELHI
If you like working for stray animals, you ought to know these laws to save yourself from any kind of harassment!
In India, animal lovers feeding or caring for strays are met with unbelievable hatred since strays are seen as a threat. People fail to understand that the voiceless animals are living beings who feel the same amount of pain and sadness as humans, and in some cases, even more.
However, there are some rules put forward by the Constitution of India in favour of the voiceless and those who are working towards the welfare of these animals.
Recent cases regarding animal abuse have stirred up a whole new discussion regarding laws for stray animals. From being beaten mercilessly to thrown out of their territories, being a stray animal in India is like a war zone for these poor souls.
Here are some very important laws for street animals in India that people should be aware of. With the increasing amount of animal cruelty in India, an animal lover should be aware of these rules:
- It is not illegal to feed stray animals.
In spite of the law saying that there is nothing illegal about feeding stray dogs, cases of people being assaulted for feeding stray dogs are not uncommon in India.
The Delhi High Court states that there are no laws that prohibit people from feeding stray animals.
In fact, feeding strays is both lawful and helpful since it makes it easy to confine them to one particular area that they belong to. This facilitates efficient birth control and annual vaccination.
- It is illegal to poison stray animals
Sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code and the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 make it illegal to maim or cause injury to any animal. It is also illegal for vehicles to purposefully injure dogs, cats and cows on the streets. A person who is caught violating these laws can be reported to the local animal protection group and to the police. A case can also be filed under the above mentioned sections.
The punishment for all of the above acts is a fine of at least Rs. 2000 and/or a jail term of up to five years.
It is a criminal offence to poison street dogs under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960. But cases like this incident in Kerala where thousands of stray dogs were poisoned are not uncommon in India.
- It is illegal to cause harm to stray animals.
According to Sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code and the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960, it is against the law to cause any sort of injury to any street animal. However, cases of stray animals being intentionally harmed by people are not unheard of on a daily basis.
- Government issues IDs to people who feed stray animals.
People who feed strays can get IDs issued by the Animal welfare board of India and yet, they face harassment by others.
These IDs help people who want to protect the strays from abusive animal-haters.
The Board also organizes Animal Welfare Fortnight, which do not gain the kind of attention that they should.
- It is against the law to relocate stray animals from their territory.
It is illegal to relocate stray animals under Section 11(1) (i) and Section 11(1) (j), PCA Act, 1960. But a recent incident in Gurugram showed us the harrowing case of stray dogs being beaten up and taken away in sacks from their territory.
No sterilized dogs can be relocated from their area Under the Government of India, Animal Birth Control Rules 2001, no sterilized dogs can be relocated from their area. As per five different High Court Orders, sterilized dogs have to remain in their original areas. In case a dog is not sterilized, the society can just ask an animal welfare organization to sterilise and vaccinate the dog.
- It is illegal to deliberately starve street dogs or take away their shelter.
Under Section 11(1) (h),PCA Act, 1960, it is illegal to intentionally starve street dogs and take away their shelter. However, a lot of people try to create obstacles for people who feed dogs and try to stop them from doing so.
- Capturing them against their will is against the law.
Section 9, Wildlife protection act, 1972 makes it illegal for anyone to capture, incite or bait street animals with the intent of causing harm. Even attempting so is a crime in itself.
- Proper documentation is required for the buying/sale of cattle.
Just because there are stray cows/buffaloes out on the road doesn’t mean anyone can claim them with an intention to sell them. Proper documentation proving that you’re an agriculturist is needed in order to sell/buy cattle.
- It is illegal to display stray monkeys as means of entertainment.
Monkeys are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act and cannot be displayed or owned even if they’re roaming like strays around the city. Even then, it is a common sight to see madaaris roaming around with monkeys.
- The implementation of these rules largely depend on the NGOs.
Stray dogs are protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and rules enacted under Section 38 of the act, particularly, the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001; Indian Penal Code, sections 428 & 429 and Article 51A (g) of the Constitution. Despite such extensive laws, people go free without punishment because bringing them to justice is a difficult task.
Fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.
