Forest Offense Report Registered Over Viral Videos of Hunting Numerous Scheduled Wildlife, Following PETA India Complaint in Khunti
After learning of several disturbing videos published by an Instagram account – __baccha___07 – revealing an individual hunting, killing and consuming the meat of several wild animals protected under Schedules I and II of The Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972, PETA India worked with the Khunti Police to identify and apprehend the accused and with the Khunti Forest Division of the Jharkhand Forest Department to get a Forest Offence Report (FOR) registered against him.
In the gruesome videos, the accused is seen capturing wild animals, killing and skinning them, and cooking and consuming their meat for social media likes. Many of the animals hunted were species protected under Schedule I of the WPA, including Russell’s vipers and Indian pythons, as well as species protected under Schedule II, including common kraits and yellow-footed green pigeons.
Following a complaint submitted by PETA India, the Khunti Forest Division registered a FOR against the accused, Lutar Purti, under Sections 9 and 51 of the WPA. Offences involving species protected under Schedule I are punishable with imprisonment of at least three years, which may extend to seven years, and a fine of at least ₹25,000; while offences involving species protected under Schedule II are punishable by a jail term of up to three years, or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, or both.
In addition to jail time, 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.”
