Katihar: FIR Registered Against Youth for Chopping Off Dog’s Tail Following PETA India’s Complaint

After a deeply distressing video went viral on social media showing three young men restraining a scared dog while another person severed the canine’s tail using a scythe, PETA India worked with Street Dogs of Bombay and local activist Preeti Priyadarshini to file a first information report (FIR). Following a complaint filed by PETA India, an FIR was registered at Mansahi Police Station (FIR No. 29/25) under Section 325 read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11(1)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.

The video of the horrific abuse was uploaded by the main accused on his Instagram account – rdxschin1. The video shows the accused severing and then brandishing the dismembered tail as a trophy in the video. The video seems to have been taken down after police intervention in the matter.

PETA India recommends that perpetrators of animal abuse undergo 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 to animals were [three] times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.”

History is replete with offenders whose violent tendencies were first directed at animals. In the US, Albert DeSalvo, who killed 13 women, trapped dogs and cats and shot arrows at them through boxes in his youth, while serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer impaled frogs, cats, and dogs’ heads on sticks. In the UK, Steven Barker, whose actions contributed to a baby’s torture and death, previously enjoyed torturing guinea pigs and other animals and would skin frogs before breaking their legs. In India, Ameerul Islam raped and killed dogs and goats before being sentenced to death for raping and murdering Kerala law student Jisha.

PETA India urges anyone who comes across an injured animal to immediately contact a veterinarian or an animal rescue group for help. It’s also important to stay with the animal and ensure they’re properly treated and tended to. PETA India operates a 24/7 animal emergency line, 9820122602, where callers can receive local contacts and advice.