FIR Registered After Dog Beaten to Death in Bulandshahr in Viral Video, Following PETA India Complaint
After being tagged on the social media platform ‘X’ in a viral video depicting the horrifying and repeated beating of a community dog to death, PETA India filed a complaint with the Kotwali Nagar Police Station to ensure that a First Information Report (FIR) was promptly registered against two accused under Sections 3(5) and 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11(1)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. The investigation is currently ongoing.
The video shows two simultaneous clips. In the top video, two men are seen mercilessly beating a dog to death with thick sticks. One of the men delivers six hard blows to the dog, who is already lying down, suggesting that the canine had been struck prior to video beginning. Subsequently, the other accused, takes over and gives another twelve blows to the dog’s head and body until the dog finally dies. In the bottom video, one of the two accused can be seen dragging the dog’s lifeless body through the street in front of children.
Section 325 of the BNS, 2023, categorises the maiming or killing of any animal as a cognisable offence and prescribes a punishment of imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with a fine, or with both. Section 11(l)(l) of the PCA Act, 1960, further makes the act of mutilating any animal or killing any animal (including community dogs) a cognisable and punishable offence.
People who abuse animals often move on to harming humans. For everyone’s safety, it’s imperative that members of the public report cruelty to animals such as this one to the police. PETA India commends Shri Dharmendra Singh Rathore, Station House Officer of Kotwali Nagar Police Station, for registering the FIR and sending a clear message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.
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 to animals were [three] times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.”
