FIR Registered for Poisoning a Community Dog in Nashik, PETA India Offers Reward of Up to Rs. 50,000 for Information Leading to Arrest
Following a report from community animal caregivers that a community dog was allegedly killed by poisoning in the Sahara Nagar area of Nashik, PETA India worked with the dog’s caregivers and the Shri Sohan Machare, Police Inspector of the Mhasrul police station to ensure that a first information report (FIR) was promptly registered. The identities of the accused person(s) are currently unknown, and the police are actively examining nearby CCTV footage to gather information. To help, PETA India is offering a reward of up to Rs 50,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for poisoning the dog.
The incident occurred on the morning of 9 June in Sahara Nagar, Makhmalabad, Nashik. An FIR has been registered against an unidentified individual under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. A post-mortem examination of the deceased dog was conducted by a government veterinarian.
Section 325 of the BNS, 2023, makes the maiming or killing of any animal a cognisable offence and provides for a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both. Section 11 of the PCA Act, 1960, defines “cruelty” and makes the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal a punishable offence.
Anyone with information about this crime can contact PETA India at [email protected]. Informants’ identities will be kept confidential.
PETA India recommends that perpetrators of animal abuse undergo 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 to animals were [three] times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.”
PETA India has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the BNS, 2023, prescribes stronger punishments). In a proposal sent to the central government regarding an amendment to the PCA Act, PETA India has recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.
