Animal Mercy: Why You Need to Take Responsibility
For all the animal injustice in the world, you should know that India has some comprehensive animal cruelty laws with all of her tribulations. Even though a fair share of the population tends to be apathetic when it comes to animals, there are still those compassionate lawmakers who care about giving a voice to the voiceless.
Human beings are on top of the food chain, and being in this position has proven that we have a debilitating indifference to nature. If you call yourself an animal lover, take it upon yourself to get acquainted with India’s animal cruelty laws, so that you can uphold rights for your furry friends. You should care about all of the world’s creatures, even if no one else does.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was the first law enacted for animal welfare in India and passed it in 1960. All animals are protected under this act. This is the act which established that the act of animal cruelty is a punishable offence.
However, this edict has a few stipulations on animal cruelty is, so MyFurries has compiled a brief list of what you need to look out for if you’re unclear whether or not something is animal cruelty.
Neglectful behaviour and abandonment without cause. It is a lot harder to take accountability for negligent actions, as many people remain oblivious to this subtler form of abuse. These thoughtless actions can either be accidental such as forgetting to feed your animal, or it can be deliberate like hoarding several animals. Neglect can often traumatize the animal quite severely. Here are some signs to look out for if you suspect animal neglect: Fur damage : Lustreless texture, fur loss or mange. Emaciated appearance. Untreated injuries or wounds. Being chained or cage bound for indefinite periods of time.
Friends and relations are often the biggest culprits of neglect, so keep in mind that you must be mindful and make sure that the right people take responsibility.
Abandoning an animal to die of starvation, thirst, etc. in the street is also a crime, as well as discarding a diseased animal as that can bring infection to everyone else.
Take care that the pets in your life are being cared for adequately and that they receive the right nutrition, exercise and love. They need to have enough space to move around freely, and keeping them on a short or heavy chain for long periods is undoubtedly cruel.
It is also perfectly legal to feed strays, so if you find yourself under duress for feeding the neighbourhood pup, remember to exercise your rights.
Animal fights and hunting for game. While the number of animal fights has been decreasing in India, it is still rampant in few areas of the country, especially in South India. In Tamil Nadu, cocks have to fight with blades attached to their legs, and it is truly a gruesome ordeal to witness.
Even spectators are at risk, and their animals have even killed a handful of them. Jallikattu, aka bullfighting, is still an unresolved legal issue. It is incredibly inhuman; to subdue the bulls, the players often stab and lash the bulls, and they aggravate them by rubbing chillies in their eyes or by giving them alcohol .
All of these dreadful acts are still being practised all in the name of tradition. But we have to remember, tradition does not equate to virtuousness!
Abusing and mutilating the animal. Beating, kicking, torturing, and overworking an unfit animal are all typical forms of abuse you should be aware of. The act of deliberately or accidentally poisoning a creature is also prohibited, as well as mutilation through the docking of ears or tails.
Under the umbrella of animal abuse, Section 428 and 429 have declared that it is illegal to maim or injure a stray animal, so if you see someone kicking or thrashing a street dog, be sure to take the necessary steps to hinder such behaviour. It is also a felony to poison or relocate stray animals.
These are a few examples of the more commonplace types of animal cruelty, and knowing them will give you the confidence to bring righteousness to a wicked situation. Indian lawmakers have recognized that animals can suffer, so if you’re ever confused about what constitutes an abusive situation, put yourself in the animal’s place. You can notice signs of animal abuse through behavioural cues such as: Evades human contact and attempts to attack when petted. Excessively submissive: Tucks in the tail, rolling onto its back, frequent urination etc. Unprovoked aggression and whimpering.
The Article 51A Clause (g), in the Indian constitution, states that a citizen must have compassion for living creatures, so remember that opposing animal cruelty is not only virtuous but also patriotic. It is up to the citizens to be an ally of animal welfare.
We hope this read will help you know the rights of animals and save you from becoming a victim in the absence of knowledge. Subscribe MyFurries to keep on getting our latest blogs.
