The recent uproar surrounding an appalling incident at a pet clinic in Maharashtra’s Thane has reignited discussions on the effectiveness of animal cruelty laws in India. Let’s delve into the details of the incident and explore the pressing need for stronger legislation to protect our furry friends.
The Shocking Incident Unveiled
A distressing video surfaced online, revealing two employees of a pet clinic in Thane brutally assaulting a dog named Tofu, a Chow Chow breed. The footage depicted the staffers relentlessly punching and kicking the defenseless animal, causing outrage among netizens and public figures alike.
The Viral Video and Public Outcry
In the footage, two pet clinic staffers are seen brutally assaulting a dog named Tofu, sparking outrage among citizens, including prominent figures like Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Notable voices from Bollywood, such as Varun Dhawan, Bhumi Pednekar, and Malaika Arora, have also joined the chorus demanding justice for the abused canine.
Delving into the Horrific Case
The appalling abuse unfolded at the Vetic Pet Clinic in R Mall, Thane. The graphic video captured the staffers repeatedly punching and kicking Tofu, a Chow Chow breed, leaving viewers appalled at the brutality.
The video shows two of the clinic’s staffers repeatedly punching a Chow Chow, named Tofu, on its face and back. After that, the dog was seen getting down from the stretcher and walking out of the room even as the man kicked it.
A shocking video has gone viral on social media platforms showing a man thrashing a pet dog mercilessly in #Thane district of #Maharashtra. The incident reportedly took place at a pet clinic on #GBRoad in the city. Two people have been arrested in connection with the case.
In… pic.twitter.com/nRmDsmQkCI
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) February 14, 2024
Shedding Light on Animal Cruelty Laws
This incident has shone a spotlight on the effectiveness of existing laws concerning animal cruelty. Many argue that current regulations lack teeth in dealing with such egregious acts.
Swift Action and Arrests
Following public outcry and legal action by animal rights organizations, the accused individuals, identified as Mayur Michael Aadhav and Prashant Sanjay Gaikwad, were apprehended. The dog’s owner, supported by NGOs like Street Dogs of Bombay, ensured swift action against the perpetrators.
Shortly after the video went viral, Nilesh Bhange, an office-bearer of animal rights organisation PAWS, and a few others approached the Kasarwadavli police station and a non-cognisable complaint was registered. Social media users also condemned the act, calling for action against the staffers as well as the clinic where the incident took place.
Later, Street Dogs of Bombay, an animal rights group, stated that the accused — Mayur Michael Aadhav, 19, and Prashant Sanjay Gaikwad, 20 — were arrested. The dog’s owner, the NGO said, has also taken legal action against the accused.
Celebrity Backlash and Political Demands
Notable figures, including Maharashtra MLA Pratap Sarnaik and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, have called for stringent measures against the offenders. Celebrities like Malaika Arora expressed their outrage on social media, demanding severe punishment for the perpetrators.
Others like Bhumi Pednekar, Riteish Deshmukh, Amruta Arora, Sonu Sood, Varun Dhawan all raised their voice on the matter.
Alarming Rise in Animal Cruelty Cases
The Thane incident mirrors a disturbing trend of increasing animal cruelty cases across India. Reports from organizations like the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) reveal a staggering number of intentional and brutal crimes against animals in recent years.
What is even more shocking is that the report states that the actual number could be at least 10 times higher, which means 50 animal deaths per day and an average of two animals being senselessly killed every hour in the country.
There’s also the appalling incident from Lucknow in April last year. An entire dog family was subjected to unspoken brutalities within the Lucknow University campus. Several of the puppies were poisoned while the mother was burnt so badly that she hardly had any skin left.
And even just last week, a puppy was thrown from a high-rise building in Greater Noida onto the road, resulting in the death of the animal.
बच्चे ने एक पिल्ले को गोद में उठाया और नीचे फेंक दिया। Video ग्रेटर नोएडा में 14 एवेन्यू गौर सिटी-2 की है। नोएडा-गाजियाबाद की सोसाइटीज में आजकल स्ट्रीट डॉग्स को लेकर गृहयुद्ध जैसे हालात बने हुए हैं। pic.twitter.com/iU7PCTTwuZ
— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) February 2, 2024
Inadequacy of Current Legislation
While perpetrators of such heinous acts are charged under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, many argue that the penalties imposed are insufficient. Calls for amending existing laws to enforce stricter punishments have gained momentum in recent years.
Advocacy for Legislative Change
Animal welfare activists, supported by influential figures like actor Nagarjuna and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, have spearheaded campaigns urging the government to revise animal cruelty laws. Proposals for amendments, including the Draft Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2022, seek to address loopholes in current legislation and impose harsher penalties for offenders.
And in 2022, the Centre drew up the Draft Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2022 following discussions and deliberations with stakeholders. The amended legislation included ‘bestiality’ as a crime under the new category of ‘gruesome cruelty’ and defined gruesome cruelty as “an act that leads to extreme pain and suffering to the animals which may cause lifelong disability or death”.
The proposed law stated, “Gruesome cruelty shall be punishable with a minimum fine of Rs 50,000 which may be extended up to Rs 75,000 or the cost may be decided by judicial magistrate in consultation with the jurisdictional veterinarians whichever is more or with the imprisonment of one year which may extend up to three years or with both.” It further proposed a maximum five-year imprisonment, along with a fine, for killing an animal.
However, it is yet to be tabled in the Parliament, with activists increasing the pressure on the Centre to table it and pass it.
The Path Forward
As pressure mounts on lawmakers to enact meaningful change, the hope is that stricter legislation will serve as a deterrent against future acts of animal cruelty. With concerted efforts from activists, legislators, and civil society, there is optimism for a future where such heinous crimes against animals are met with swift and severe consequences.
