Dogs are the most trustable and loyal friends to humans. They don’t beg when starve, don’t cry out when hurt or rob when they have nothing; still some people hate them from the core and even hate the people helping dogs or other innocent animals. When all they want is just your little love and care towards them and they’ll be happy forever, will guard you, play with you, make you happy but will never leave you alone with sadness. Dogs are compassionate, friendly, energetic and full of positivity that spending even less than an hour may help you combat anxiety. So please, love dogs, love animals and love nature.

Animal Rights in India

In India, the law against animal cruelty is contained

Under ‘The Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals Act, 1960’, the Act identifies animals too as a living creature apart from humans. This act includes exploitation, unnecessary pain or cruelty towards animals as a punishable offence.

According to Chapter 2 of The Prevention of Animals Act, Animal Welfare Board of India has been established by the Government of our Country which includes the following points:-

Functions of Animal Welfare Board of India:

I. To keep the laws in force for the prevention of animal cruelty in India and also to advise the government for any amendments to the laws from time to time.

II. To advise the government in case of any cruelty, unnecessary given pain or sufferings or when transported from one place to another or when used as performing animals or when kept captive or confinement.

III. To advise the person, authority or the Government to design the vehicle in such a way that the burden falls lesser on draught animals.

IV. To take the steps which the Board may find suitable for the betterment of animals, such as: - constructing sheds, giving water supply and providing veterinary assistance to the animals.

V. Providing general awareness and proper education on the benevolent treatment towards animals and animal welfare.

Under Section 11 the Act that includes different variants of cruelty towards animals:-

I. Beating, kicking or torturing animals unnecessarily.

II. Using an old or unfit or injured animal for work.

III. Injecting any injurious drug/medicine to an animal.

IV. Causing pain or discomfort to the animal by carrying it on any vehicle.

V. Keeping any animal in cage or chained without any reason.

VI. Despite being an owner failing to provide food, shelter or other necessities to the animal.

VII. Abandoning an animal without any reason.

VIII. Any malevolent behaviour towards animal or killing an animal through cruel ways.

IX. Using an animal for bait for another animal for the purpose of entertainment.

Part IV of this Act covers Experimentation on animals. The Act does not encourage on any type of unlawful experiments on animals for the purpose of new discoveries or medical inventions to combat diseases. It sets up a Committee for controlled supervision towards the experimentation on animals as well it has the power to prohibit any experiment at any time if required so.

Part V of this Act includes the areas of animal’s performance. Under Section 22, it is prohibited to exhibit or train an animal without registering it to the AWBI. This section has prohibited animals such as: - monkey, lion, panther, tiger and bull from being utilized as a performing animal.

Under Section 28, it covers that it is an offense to kill an animal of practicing any religious technique by any community. But due to the diversity in the religions and traditions as well in their rituals, this Section was considered as imperative.

Treating an animal in any cruel way is a punishable offense with a fine of Rs. 10 to Rs. 50 on first conviction. On the other hand for the subsequent conviction, if done within 3 years of time the fine may extend from Rs. 25 to Rs. 100 or imprisonment for 3 months or both. It also includes any operations to improve the lactation which is injurious to the health of the animal, may be fined with Rs. 2000 or 2 years imprisonment or both. Further on, the government has the right to seize or forfeit or destroy the animal. Any act of breach regarding any order of the committee on experimentation of an animal is fined with Rs. 200.

In India in 1976, the 42th Amendment made in the law was a progressive movement towards the animal protection in India. However, the courts of our country have become developed in accordance to the laws towards animals. But still it’s a long way for us to achieve in developing a strong foundation towards the protection of animals due to the penalties implied under the law of the Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals, 1960 these punishments are not strict enough to lessen the rate of crimes against animals. So, these laws must be revised for the betterment.

CURRENT EVENTS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN INDIA

1) In March, a woman from Bengaluru was arrested as she shot 8 stray puppies in front of their mother dog for which she claimed that she wanted to “teach the mother dog a lesson”. Several debates are going on, on the rights of the stray animals.

2) In Kotkapura, a resident with his son has taken his dog out for a walk. They were walking when a neighbour, passing by got offended by the bark too much that he went home and came back with a weapon with him and fired the dog. The case has been registered by the Kotkapura police, as under Section 429 it is a criminal offence of killing an animal and also under Section 11, the Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals Act.

STORIES OF ANIMAL RESCUE

1. Puppy spent days on Ice

In early 2021, a puppy got rescued from floating in Detroit River after spending 4 days on a thin river ice. The stray puppy escaped near death as being dehydrated and starving for days, his rescuers think that he was able to survive because of his overgrown coat saved him.

2. Kitten was rescued from Vending Machine

A kitten somehow got stuck inside the vending machine of the Tennessee Walmart store. Fortunately, an employee from there saw it and called the local fire department that later were able to rescue the kitten. And finally, the employee took her home.

3. Owner rescued its puppy from Alligator’s mouth

In 2020, a person from Florida rescued his 3 months old King Charles Cavalier from an alligator. His puppy was around a pool when the alligator attacked him but the owner acted fast and smart, he jumped into the water and wrestled with him to open up his mouth. Both the puppy and its owner got succeeded without any serious injury.

FAMOUS OR LESSER KNOWN ANIMAL RESCUERS OF INDIA

Story of ‘Modern Mowgli’ Tackles India’s Homeless Pet Problems by Feeding 200+ Stray Dogs a Day

There are more than 35 million stray dogs on the streets of India that are homeless, have no access to water or food. Those who help stray dog aren’t always appreciated sometimes face violence or even threats as pets aren’t treated the same way as they are treated in United States. Anoushka Mehta, the girl is helping the stray dogs since eight years. She has been named as ‘The Modern Mowgli’ by the people as she walk through the streets of Delhi feeding, giving medical aids and loving the stray dogs. She now has a team of six other volunteers for helping the strays. So far she has also found homes for more than 100 dogs in Unites States, Canada as well as across India.

RULES BY THE ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA

Bye-laws for keeping pets say that any housing society cannot ban residents for keeping pets.
Any sort of ban cannot be implemented in the society. Any resolution passed in General Body meeting may be considered as invalid. Any sort of ban for pets cannot be introduced in society.
The Sub- tenants (licensed) can have pets in their flats.
Society cannot discriminate on the side of pets
Dog barking cannot be a valid reason to ban the pets.
Having pets at home is a fundamental freedom to every native as per the Constitution of India.
Keeping pets in the apartment and residents owner of the pet not violating any municipal law are permissible to stay in the housing society.

Use of Lift by pets:

Pets cannot be disallowed for using the lift of the building. As per the government of India pets are also a family member and so must have access to the lift.
Housing Society cannot take any extra charges from the pet owners for using the lift.
Society has no right to introduce any modification in this regard.
Courts consider pets to be a part of the family so pets cannot be stopped from using the society lift.

Access to the park and garden of the Society:

1) Society cannot disallow pets from entering in the parks and gardens of the society.

Use of Leashes and /or muzzles:

1) Society cannot force the members to keep their pets on leash (Strap or Chain) or muzzles.

Defecation by pets in the society premises:

I. There are no law in regards to cleaning pet’s excreta by the masters.

II. Even if the pet defecates in the society premises still society cannot impose fine to the master.

Bye-laws related to Street Dogs

I. Beating and driving away street dogs is not allowed.

II. Taking street dogs for birth control or any other birth related measures are allowed only if they must release back into the same locality.

III. There is no law restricting Indian residents from feeding any stay dogs. Feeding stray animals is a compassionate feeling and is supported by the higher courts.

IV. Beating street dogs is an offense; it comes under the animal cruelty Act as it is a punishable offence under section 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code.

INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF OWNING A PET

a) Pets help you brush off rejection

b) Pets make you less lonely

c) Pets provide major buffer against stress

d) Pets protect your heart

e) Pets keep your brain sharp

f) Pets encourage you to get more exercise

g) Pets ease your pain

h) Pets make your kid less likely to get allergies

i) Pets might help your child take better care of her blood sugar

j) Pets can help fight cancer

k) Pets help us cope with crisis

l) Pets encourage you to move

m) Pets make you more attractive – even virtually

n) Pets makes us more social

o) Pets are so adorable that they make us love them

p) Pets make us happier

q) Pets help seniors with cognitive function and social interaction

The friendliest breeds of dogs:

a) Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Group: - Herding AKC
Height: - 10-12 inches
Weight: - Up to 30 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 12-13 yrs

b) Labrador Retriever

Group: - Sprouting AKC
Height: - 22-25 inches
Weight: - 55 – 80 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 10 to 12 years

c) Golden Retriever

Group: - Spouting AKC
Height: -22-24 inches
Weight: - 55-75 pounds
Life Expectancy: -10-12 years

d) Boston Terrier

Group: - Non-sprouting AKC
Height: - 15-17 inches
Weight: -12-25 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 12-14 years

e) Irish Setter

Group: - Sprouting AKC
Height: - 25-27 inches
Weight: - 60-70 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 12-15 years

f) Beagle

Group: - Hound AKC
Height: - Up to 15 inches
Weight: - Up to 30 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 10-15 years

g) Border Collie

Group: - Herding AKC
Height: - 18-22 inches
Weight: -30-55 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 10-17 years

h) Boxer

Group: - Working AKC
Height: - 22-25 inches
Weight: - 50-80 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 10-12 years

i) Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Group: - Terrier AKC
Height: - 14-16 inches
Weight: - 24-38 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 12-14 years

j) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Group: - Toy AKC
Height: - 12-13 inches
Weight: - 13-18 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 12-14 years

k) Pug

Group: - Toy AKC
Height: - 10-13 inches
Weight: - 14-18 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 13-15 years

l) Newfoundland

Group: - Working AKC
Height: - 26-28 inches
Weight: - 100-150 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 9-10 years

m) Collie

Group: - Herding AKC
Height: - 22-26 inches
Weight: - 50-75 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 12-15 years

n) Poodle

Group: - Non-sprouting AKC
Height: - (Standard) over 15 inches;
(Miniature) 10-15 inches;
(Toy) 10 inches and under
Weight: - (Standard) 45-70 pounds
(Miniature) 15-18 pounds
(Toy) 5-9 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 10-18 years

o) Bulldog

Group: - Non-sprouting AKC
Height: - 14-15 inches
Weight: - 40-50 pounds
Life Expectancy: - 8-10 years

There are several rules for animals made by Indian government, such as:

I. Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2009

II. Animal Welfare Board (Administration) Rules, 1962

III. Breeding of and Experiments on Animals (Control and Supervision) Amendment Rules, 2005

IV. Breeding of and Experiments on Animals (Control and Supervision) Amendment Rules, 2006

V. Corrigendum of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017

VI. Corrigendum to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018

VII. Draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Animal Markets Rules, 2018

VIII. Prevention of Cruelty (Capture of Animals) Rules, 1972

IX. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017

X. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dogs Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017

XI. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Amendment Rules, 2010

XII. The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Amendment Rules, 2010

XIII. The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001

XIV. The Breeding of and Experiments on animals (Control and Supervision) Amendment Rules, 1998

XV. The Breeding of and Experiments on animals (Control and Supervision) Amendment Rules, 2001

XVI. The Experiments on animals (Control and Supervision) Amendment Rules, 1998

XVII. The Performing Animal Rules, 1973

XVIII. The Performing Animals (Registration) Amendment Rules, 2001

XIX. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018

XX. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Registration of Cattle Premises) Rules, 1978

XXI. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001

XXII. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport of Animals on Foot) Rules, 2001

XXIII. Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965 Amended 1968

XXIV. The transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2009

NGO for dogs:

NGOs for animals help rescue the animals, and tend to treat ill and injured animals. They also help in neutering, vaccinating, providing other health facilities and conducting adoption drives. They also help to keep the law in force for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They also play a primary role in educating humans for the treatment of animals and encourage the public against the infliction of any unnecessary pain or suffering to animals through books, posters, short films, etc.

List of NGOs working for Animal Welfare:

A. Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), Bangalore, Karnataka

B. Let’s Live Together, Bangalore, Karnataka

C. Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals (VSPCA India), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

D. The Blue Cross of India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

E. Friendicoes, Delhi

F. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Kenya

G. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

H. The Modern Mowgli, Across Delhi and Haryana

I. People For Animals (PFA), Delhi

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

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