This story is from September 15, 2019

Animal activists demand stronger animal protection laws in Mumbai

Animal activists demand stronger animal protection laws in Mumbai
Animal activists with placards at Yari Road in Andheri on Sunday
MUMBAI: The locals and animal rights groups held a demonstration at Yari Road, Andheri (west) on Sunday to demand stronger animal protection laws, as they stated that the existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, is not able to deter the rising animal cruelty cases.
Led by the social welfare group, 'Aaj Ki Awaaz', the animal lovers held placards, posters and said that the recent horrifying case of a Goregaon based butcher stabbing a lactating mother dog to death, leaving behind six orphaned puppies, was the trigger that compelled them to hold this demonstration.
The accused 20-year-old butcher, Irshad Kureshi, was involved in this extreme animal cruelty.
“In the last few years, incidents of harassment of animals, especially killing of community dogs, have increased. To avoid human cruelty similar to that of the Goregaon case and such other traumatic events in the future, we have no other option but to demand for stringent 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act' law,'' said president of 'Aaj Ki Aawaaz' and convenor of ‘Animals have feelings too’ awareness campaign Ajay Kaul.
Kaul added that the maximum penalty for an offender under the PCA Act is barely between Rs 50 to Rs 100 for killing or maiming an animal; and also it is a bailable offence. Hence, a stronger Act is required in place of existing one.
“If a person or an animal murderer is freed by paying a petty amount of just Rs 50 or Rs 100, then what’s the use of such laws? If such gruesome incidents have to be stopped then the government should make stringent laws for animal protection laws,” said Kaul.
Organisations like Bezuban Buzzo, Hope for Strays, Lions Club of Bombay Oceanic, and Movement for Citizens Awareness, Yari Road Kalavihar association, Mahiti Seva Samiti among others also joined the protest, demanding stringent laws to prevent cruelty towards animals.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA