FIR Registered Against Illegal Greyhound Race in Sangli, Following PETA India Complaint
Upon learning about an illegal greyhound dog race scheduled last week in Kavathe Mahankal, Sangli, PETA India promptly alerted the Sangli Police. Despite this prior information and the police’s notice to the organisers under section 168 of Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to prevent the race, the illegal race was conducted. PETA India then submitted a complaint and pursued the matter, resulting in a First Information Report (FIR) being registered against the organiser for disobedience of the prohibition order issued by the police.
The FIR was registered under Sections 11(1)(a), 11(1)(d), and Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, as well as Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Greyhound racing involves forcing dogs to race at such dangerously high speeds that it puts a tremendous strain on their bodies, often causing them to suffer injuries or death. They are typically confined to kennels and forced to stand in their filth when not used. Dogs who lose may face harsh abuses, such as abandonment or being killed. Injuries, exhaustion, and psychological trauma are common in spectacles in which animals are forced to race, which prioritises gambling over the welfare of the animals.
Greyhounds are often raced to injury or death. Forcing dogs to race is inherently cruel. We commend Shri Pravin Kamble Ji, Assistant Police Inspector, Sangli Police, for registering the FIR and sending the message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.
In its complaint, PETA India stated that under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, animals cannot be legally used for training, exhibition, or performances without prior approval from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). Additionally, such races violate the PCA Act,1960, and the BNS, 2023, which prohibits inflicting unnecessary suffering on animals.
The PCA Act, 1960, specifically criminalises inciting animals to fight with other animals. In the landmark judgment of Animal Welfare Board of India vs A Nagaraja & Ors (Civil Appeal No 5387/2014) of 7 May 2014, the Supreme Court clarified that activities such as animal racing come within the purview of animal fights as they involve forcing animals into competitive and harmful situations, akin to incitement to fight. In a letter dated 7 December 2020 to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, the AWBI opined that essentially all animal races, particularly dog races, are prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 and has declared similar events illegal. The letter warned that conducting animal races amounts to contempt of court and urged the withdrawal of any permissions or directions for such activities to ensure compliance with the law.
