BSPCA stats reveal cases in the city have gone up by nearly 600 from 2011-2012 to 2013-2014
According to the statistics provided by the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) cases of cruelty against animals has risen by nearly 18% in two years (see box).
Experts opined that the non-stringent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, is one of the root causes of the problem. They said since the offence is bailable, violators lack regard for the law. The statistics also revealed that animals like cats, dogs, horses and cattle are the most abused.
Lt Col (Rtd) J C Khanna from BSPCA, “The figures clearly indicate that people still don’t treat animals well. The act needs to be more stringent to make such people realise that they won’t be spared.” PAWS founder Sunish Subramanian said people adopt pets when they are very young.
“Once an animal grows, so does the cost of maintenance. This is the time when owners abandon them. The owners need to understand that they must love their pets and not bring them home as objects to be admired.”
Definition of cruelty
As per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, cruelty is defined as: If any person beats, kicks, over rides, over drives, overloads, tortures or otherwise treats any animal so as to subject it to unnecessary pain or suffering or causes or being the owner permits, any animal to be so treated, promotes or takes part in shooting match or competition wherein animals are released from captivity for the purpose of such shooting, offers sale without reasonable cause, without any reason abandons any animal in circumstances which tender it likely that it will suffer pain.
Cases of cruelty registered against animals
3,352: Apr 2011-Mar 2012
3,612: Apr 2012-Mar 2013
3,944: Apr 2013-Mar 2014