FIR Registered Against Tiruvarur Man for Burning Three Puppies to Death, Following PETA India Intervention
After being alerted to a horrific incident of three puppies being burnt to death, PETA India and a local community animal caregiver, Mr Rajesh Ravichandiran, worked with Kodavasal Police Station and Thiru V. Satish Kumar, the Superintendent of Police, Tiruvarur, to ensure that a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against this cruelty.
The incident took place on 23 September in East Main Street, Kodavasal, Tiruvarur. From the CCTV footage of a nearby residence, a local garbage collector was captured arriving at night and burning the three puppies alive. Based on the CCTV footage of the incident, Kodavasal Police Station registered an FIR against the individual.
The FIR has been registered under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11(1)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, which categorises the maiming or killing of any animal as a cognizable offence. Section 325 of the BNS, 2023, prescribes a punishment of imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with a fine, or with both.
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PETA India has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the BNS, 2023, prescribes stronger punishments).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.
