Exclusive: Knowing about Animal Rights may help you to fight against Animal Abuse: Here is a List!

September 22, 2016: Cruelty towards animals and abuse cases are increasing every day in number. It seems being educated doesn't make one a sensible person. Reporter Enakshi Roy Chowdhury of NewsGram got in touch with an NGO based in Kolkata- 'Love N Care for animals,' that provides shelter to homeless animals. They are doing their bit to save animals from abuse and cruelty inflicted on them by humans, especially in the name of religion and culture and at times out of sheer fun.

Head of NGO 'Love N Care for animals' Sushmita Roy says, "Religion, which includes almost all the religions except few, practice animal sacrifice, for example in Kali Puja, Bakr-id, etc. This practice must be banned. To counter these practices the NGO does awareness camps in schools, temples and roads."

On Sunday, 18th September 2016, when the citizens of Hyderabad were caught up by the passionate pleas of the animal lovers and activists to be more sensitive and humane towards animals. People on foot and motorists slowed down to apprehend what the demonstrators spread across the stretch from KBR Park till the Jubilee Hills check post, were asking for.

Follow NewsGram on Twitter

The animals whose abuse is most often reported are dogs, cats, horses and livestock. India has been seeing few gruesome cases of animal abuse online in the past few months here are a few of those:

• A dog was thrown off the roof of a five-story building in Chennai by two college students, the dog's cries was heard after it hit the ground. The video of this act had become viral through social media. Later, the dog was found alive with a broken hind limb, and the two students surrendered themselves for the act.
• Wife of an ex-honorary flight lieutenant killed 8, 15-day-old puppies to teach their mother a lesson, the lady was sent to jail for committing this crime.
• When the forest department was not responding to the complaints of the people of Bhandup, who were demanding the relocation of a group of monkeys who were disturbing them. One day, a man lost his temper and threw acid on one of the monkeys.
• The practice of animal sacrifice for religious reasons all over India and across the world. One such incident was also seen on the day of Bakr-id at Dhaka, this year which turned all the roads blood red.

Follow NewsGram on Facebook

15 Animal Rights in India that every citizens should know:

(i) It is the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to have compassion for all living creatures. Article 51A(g).

(ii) To kill or maim any animal, including stray animals, is a punishable offence. IPC Sections 428 and 429.

(iii) Abandoning any animal for any reason can land you in prison for up to three months. Section 11(1)(i) and Section 11(1)(j), PCA Act, 1960.

(iv) No animal (including chickens) can be slaughtered in any place other than a slaughterhouse. Sick or pregnant animals shall not be slaughtered. Rule 3, of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (Slaughterhouse) Rules, 2001 and Chapter 4, Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011.

(v) Stray dogs that have been operated for birth control cannot be captured or relocated by anybody including any authority. ABC Rules, 2001.

(vi) Neglecting an animal by denying her sufficient food, water, shelter and exercise or by keeping him chained/confined for long hours is punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to 3 months or both. Section 11(1)(h), PCA Act, 1960.

(vii) Monkeys are protected under the Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972 and cannot be displayed or owned.

(viii) Bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers, lions and bulls are prohibited from being trained and used for entertainment purposes, either in circuses or streets. Section 22(ii), PCA Act, 1960.

(ix) Animal sacrifice is illegal in every part of the country. Rule 3, Slaughterhouse Rules, 2001.

(x) Organizing of or participating in or inciting any animal fight is a cognizable offence. Section 11(1)(m)(ii) and Section 11(1)(n), PCA Act, 1960.

(xi) Cosmetics tested on animals and the import of cosmetics tested on animals is banned. Rules 148-C and 135-B of Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

(xii) Teasing, feeding or disturbing the animals in a zoo and littering the zoo premises is an offence punishable by a fine of Rs. 25000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both. Section 38J, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

(xiii) Capturing, trapping, poisoning or baiting of any wild animal or even attempting to do so is punishable by law, with a fine of up to Rs. 25000 or imprisonment of up to seven years or both. Section 9, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

(ix) Disturbing or destroying eggs or nests of birds and reptiles or chopping a tree having nests of such birds and reptiles or even attempting to do so constitutes to hunting and attracts a punishment of a fine of up to Rs. 25000, or imprisonment of up to seven years or both. Section 9, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

(x) Conveying or carrying animals whether in or upon any vehicle, in any manner or position which causes discomfort, pain or suffering is a punishable offence under two Central Acts. Section 11(1)(d) Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (Transport of Animal) Rules, 2001 and Motor Vehicles Act 1978.

"There are several laws in the constitution against animal abuse, but they are not strong enough, there are not severe punishments. When cases are filed in courts, the person has to pay just Rs. 50 for bail, so if it is so easy for a person to get a bail after severe animal abuse, it is obvious that there will be a rise in number of such cases", says Sushmita Ray.

She adds, " the number of cases of animal abuse is higher in the urban areas because the density of population is higher in the urban areas compared to the rural areas."

-by Enakshi Roy Chowdhury of Newsgram. Twitter: @enakshirc58