Mumbai Police Register FIR and Rescue Two Rams Used for Fighting Following PETA India Complaint
Acting swiftly on a tip-off about an illegal ram-fighting event near Bandra Terminus, PETA India filed a complaint that led to the Nirmal Nagar police station registering a first information report (FIR) under Sections 291 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Sections 11(1)(a), 11(1)(m) and 11(1)(n) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 and Section 119 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1959.
On 3 August, police traced the owner of the animals and seized two rams used in the fight. The animals were then transported to the Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals in Parel for medical examination, veterinary care, and safekeeping pending a court decision on their interim custody.
Following the FIR and seizure, PETA India filed an application seeking interim custody of the animals. Now, the 32nd Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court in Bandra, acting in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017, notified under the PCA Act, 1960, granted PETA India interim custody of both rams. Detailed submissions were made by Mr. Jay Gupta, Advocate, in support of PETA India’s argument that the rams should be sent to a reputed animal sanctuary for rehabilitation instead of being returned to the accused owners, who are likely to abuse them again.
PETA India is deeply grateful to Nirmal Nagar police station and Hon’ble Judicial Magistrate Smt S. S. Parkhi for recognising the suffering of the rams and for sending a message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.
Ram fighting involves pitting two male sheep against each other in a violent and often bloody confrontation. The animals are hit and goaded into fighting until one is deemed the winner. This practice subjects them to significant physical and psychological harm, including injuries such as fractures, puncture wounds, and severe stress.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 prohibits inciting animals to fight with each other. In a landmark judgment in 2014, the Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of the petitioners, PETA India, and the government advisory body, the Animal Welfare Board of India, establishing that bullfighting, dogfighting, and any other staged fights between animals, including between humans and other animals, for entertainment, must end.
