Over 24,000 cases of cruelty to animals have been reported in the past three years, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.
As many as "7853, 14235 and 2265 cases" were registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, during 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively, he said.
"The enforcement of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 and Rules made thereunder (Animal Protection Laws) is the responsibility of the state government/UTs concerned which are empowered to take action in cases of cruelty inflicted on animals," Javadekar said in a written reply.
In order to effectively implement the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Animal Welfare Board of India has written several letters to the Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs to constitute State Welfare Boards in each districts as per the Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rules 2001 so that animal protection laws can be enforced.
