Pratapgarh Police Register FIR Against Depraved Man for Torturing Puppy for Social Media ‘Likes’ Following PETA India Complaint
After a deeply distressing video went viral on social media showing a depraved young man mercilessly punching and torturing a puppy seemingly for social media ‘likes’, PETA India worked with Pratapgarh police to file a first information report (FIR). Following a complaint filed by PETA India, the police registered an FIR suo-moto against the accused.
The police registered the FIR (No. 34/25) under Sections 325 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 3 and 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. The police were first intimated about the crime by Gaurav Arya of Gau Raksha Dal Haryana, following which the police located and nabbed the alleged abuser. The police have confirmed that the puppy is alive and safe, and a medical examination is underway.
The video of the horrific abuse was uploaded by the main accused on his Instagram account – @dinu_timli_lover. The accused can be seen senselessly assaulting a terrified puppy by yanking him by the neck, slamming him onto a cot, punching him, and pinning him underfoot, all while the puppy cries out in fear. Another individual can be seen allowing the abuse in the film, while a person filming the abuse can be heard laughing in the background. The video seems to have been taken down after police intervention. After receiving tremendous backlash on social media, the accused has posted an apology video seeking forgiveness for his actions, but PETA India warns the individual remains dangerous.
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 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.
