Former AWBI Chairperson Dr O.P. Chaudhary, IFS (Retd.), Addresses Hundreds at PETA India’s Landmark Workshop on Fighting Crimes Against Animals in Delhi
Delhi—On Sunday, in response to widespread cases of crimes against animals being registered in the Delhi and following the Supreme Court order calling for a cruel round-up of dogs and cows, PETA India held its first-ever educational and capacity-building workshop in the capital at the Park Inn by Radisson, IP Extension, for members of the public including rescuers and animal protection activists to help safeguard animals and humans from violence. Dr O P Chaudhary, retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), and former chairperson, Animal Welfare Board of India, attended as the chief guest.
Meet Ashar with former AWBI Chairperson Dr O.P. Chaudhary, IFS (Retd.)
Over 200 participants attended the day-long session run by Meet Ashar, PETA India’s Legal Advisor and Director of Cruelty Response, and learned how to get First Information Reports (FIRs) and Preliminary Offence Reports (PORs) registered and how to document crimes against animals. They also learned about the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960; the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2022); the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and other relevant laws.
‘Combating cruelty to animals is crucial to ensure a safer society for all, as people who harm animals often hurt more animals and humans. I am happy to have been part of PETA India’s workshop to empower citizens to curb the societal scourge of crimes against animals.’ – Dr O. P. Chaudhary
PETA India notes that many violent criminals have a documented history of cruelty to animals. A study published in Forensic Research and Criminology International Journal warns, ‘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PETA India has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the BNS, 2023 prescribes stronger punishments).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.
