Former MP Poonam Mahajan Was Chief Guest at PETA India First-of-its-Kind Workshop to Fight Crimes Against Animals in Mumbai—Over 150 Participants Attend Event

In response to rising cases of crimes against animals being registered in Mumbai, and to help safeguard animals and humans, PETA India held its first-ever educational and capacity-building workshop at the Tunga International Hotel in Mumbai for members of the public including rescuers and other animal protection activists from across Mumbai. Former Member of Parliament Smt Poonam Mahajan, a long-standing mentor to several animal welfare organisations in the country, attended as the Chief Guest.

Over 150 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 Offense Reports (PORs) registered and how to document crime 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 don’t stop at animals. I am happy to have been part of PETA India’s workshop to empower citizens to curb the societal scourge of crimes against animals.” – Smt. Poonam Mahajan

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PETA India has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the BNS, 2023 prescribes stronger punishments).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.