Preliminary Offense Reports Registered in Bidar and Yadgir Against Wildlife Hunting, Three Arrested, Following PETA India Complaints
After learning of disturbing videos posted on Instagram showing the hunting and killing of various species protected under Schedules I and II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972, PETA India worked with Bidar and Yadgir Forest Divisions of the Karnataka Forest Department to get Preliminary Offence Reports (PORs) registered against several accused involved in the hunting and killings. The Bidar Forest Division has made three arrests, while the accused in the Yadgir case remains absconding. However, the Yadgir Forest Division is on the lookout.
The videos from Yadgir showed the hunting and killings of Indian porcupines and Bengal monitors, species protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as well as wild pigs and Indian hares, species protected under Schedule II of the Act. The content shows accused Rajkumar Raj and other persons being egregiously ruthless and cruel, purportedly for social media likes, including killing a porcupine with sticks and a monitor lizard as a group, using an axe to kill one pig, stamping on the neck of another, and skinning an Indian hare with bare hands. Following a complaint submitted by PETA India, the Yadgir Forest Division registered a POR on 18 June. Forest officials have launched a search for Rajkumar, who is currently absconding.
The videos from Bidar posted across multiple Instagram accounts by individuals identifying themselves as members of the “007 Gang” showed the hunting and killings of Indian porcupines, wild pigs, and Indian hares, among other animals. The perpetrators used to lay large nets to trap animals before attacking them with sticks, releasing dogs to chase and corner animals, exposing the dogs themselves to serious injury from wild pig attacks and porcupine quills and, in other instances, chasing animals with sticks, stabbing them repeatedly with spears, and striking them with rocks. Following a complaint submitted by PETA India, the Bidar Forest Division registered a POR on 27 June. On 2 July, the Range Forest Officer, Basavakalyan range, along with a team from the Bidar Territorial Division, conducted an operation resulting in the arrest of three accused persons, including Rahul Bhosle and two others, and the seizure of four motorcycles, hunting nets, and other poaching equipment. Forest authorities are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in the gang.
Offences involving species protected under Schedule I are punishable with imprisonment of at least three years, which may extend to seven years, and a fine of at least ₹25,000, while offences involving species protected under Schedule II are punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both.
In addition to jail time, PETA India recommends that perpetrators of animal abuse undergo a 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.”
