FIR Registered After Dog Thrashed to Death, Following PETA India Complaint in Dhanbad

After being alerted about a horrific incident of a community dog being beaten to death by two villagers, PETA India worked with local activist Rana Pratap and Baghmara Police Station to ensure that a First Information Report (FIR) was promptly registered.

The incident took place on 13 February. Reportedly, the dog, who was initially being chased away by the villagers, got entangled in a wire in bushes. Before the dog could escape, two individuals worked together to attack the defenceless dog with a jagged stone  and a heavy stick, eventually killing the dog. Based on a video partly revealing the dastardly act and a complaint submitted by a concerned local, Baghmara Police Station registered an FIR 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, against both alleged abusers. The investigation is currently ongoing, and the police are trying to locate the deceased dog’s body for a post-mortem.

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. We commend Shri Rakesh Kumar Ram, Station House Officer of Baghmara 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 were [three] times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.”