The highest law in India, the constitution, envisages the fundamentals of protecting animals against cruelty and harmful practices. Indeed this protection is further expressed through various laws and directives of different government organs. The Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960) and the Environmental Protection Act (1986) speak in harmony and term acts of cruelty to animals as punishable offences.
Despite There Being Elaborate Laws and Directives, and I must add quite a number of organisations, that advocate against the cruelty and harmful treatment of animals, the Indian stray dog stands out as a repeat victim of cruelty. Below are some chronicles of how the Indian stray dog is a repeat victim.
All these incidents took place within the span of two months, with the last one being most recent. A quick review of these cases also reveals that the culprits are well educated and informed people, aware of the law against animal cruelty. The incidents also serve to confirm the attitude of the Indian public towards stray dogs and the inability of the law to stop their increase.
Perhaps what is more jaw dropping is the impunity with which the culprits get off the hook. Under the penal code, animal cruelty is a non-cognizable bailable offence, attracting fines as low as Rs 3,000. However, there are recorded cases where offenders got off with fines as low as Rs 50.
Even more distressing is the low conviction rate, according to Gauri Maulekhi of People for Animals (PFA), in Delhi, less than 2% of charged offenders have been convicted and the percentage drops further in other states.
In conclusion, it is clear that with attitudes and weak laws, such cases will not subside but only rise. To change the chronicles of the Indian stray dogs and the law, a revision of strategy and approach to change the attitude of the public as well as punitively punish is essential.