Fine for cruelty to animal is minimal: Govt

There is a "minimal" fine for causing cruelty to animal in the Prevention of Cruelty Act and taking congnisance of this the government has conducted consultations with various stakeholders on the necessity and scope of amending the law, Lok Sabha was informed today.
"The government has noted that the fine or punishment prescribed in the PCA act is "minimal", Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave in a written reply in Lok Sabha said, adding that the government has taken cognisance of various incidents of cruelty to animals including those reported through media.
The Ministry has taken up this matter with the Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs to prevent effectively unnecessary pain or suffering and killing of animals and implement the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960," Dave said.

He said that Section 11(I) of the PCA Act, enacted in 1960 has provision of penalty and punishment for any action of cruelty against animals.
The government regularly reviews the implementation of PCA Act, 1960 in order to strengthen its provisions including those related to definition of cruelty and the punitive measures to update penalties and effectively curb animal abuse, the Minister said.
"Government has received proposal from Animal Welfare Board of India for amendment of the PCA Act and has conducted consultations with various stakeholders on the necessity and scope of such amendments.
"Proposals for amendments are submitted to the legislature after such consultations are concluded," he added.

Animal rights bodies have launched a campaign asking the Environment Ministry to enhance the punishment for animal cruelty and make it "stronger".