Pithoragarh: POR Registered Over Men Terrorising, Chasing and Hurling Stones at Porcupines, Following PETA India Complaint
For Immediate Release:
28 April 2026
Contact:
Saloni Sakaria; [email protected]
Anushka Yadav; [email protected]
Pithoragarh—After learning of a disturbing video posted on the YouTube channel MehtabrosUK05, showing a group of men hunting two Indian porcupines (Hystrix indica), a species protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) worked with the Pithoragarh Forest Division of the Uttarakhand Forest Department to get a Preliminary Offence Report (POR) registered against two accused persons.
The video shows two terrified Indian porcupines being relentlessly chased down a road by the men travelling in a car. The porcupines can be seen desperately running for their lives. During the ordeal, one individual steps out of the car to hurl a large stone at one of the porcupines numerous times, seemingly just to make his friends laugh. Others can be hearing encouraging this behaviour. After causing injury, the men continue to drive after this porcupine for a considerable distance, using the vehicle to harass and terrorise the animal.
Following a complaint submitted by PETA India, the Pithoragarh Forest Division registered a POR against two accused persons under Sections 9 and 51 of the WPA. Offences involving species protected under Schedule I are punishable with imprisonment of at least three years, which may extend to seven years, and a fine of at least ₹25,000.
“A person who considers hurting wildlife ‘fun’ as those accused here appear to, should be considered at risk for hurting other animals or even humans,” says PETA India Associate Manager of Cruelty Response, Saloni Sakaria. “PETA India commends the Pithoragarh Forest Division, especially Shri Ashutosh Singh, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pithoragarh Forest Division, for sending a clear message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.”
In addition to jail time, PETA India recommends that perpetrators of animal abuse undergo a psychiatric evaluation and receive counselling, as abusing animals indicates a deep psychological disturbance. Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals, including humans. A study published in Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal stated, “Those who engage in cruelty to animals were [three] times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.”
PETA India – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way” – opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETAIndia.com or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
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