Now, kick your pet at your own expense

Make sure to cage the beast in you the next time you deal with a pet.

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) proposed on Thursday two years imprisonment and Rs10,000 fine for persons causing pain, suffering or killing animals by way of beating or torture.

As per the draft of Animal Welfare Act 2011 presented by the Jairam Ramesh-headed ministry, owners using heavy or short chains or cords to bind pets or not providing them sufficient food, drink or shelter would be committing cruelty and would be liable for punishment. If convicted, courts may suspend driving licences of such pet owners for a period of five years.

Animal rights activists are happy. Mumbai-based founder of Plant & Animals Welfare Society Sunish Subramanian Kunju said, “If this law comes into force, incidents of violence against animals can be really brought down.

“Present laws are not good enough to stop animal cruelty in the country. People get away by paying a fine of 200-300 rupees.”

According to the draft, people injecting animals with chemicals to improve lactation can also be fined up to Rs50,000 and imprisoned for a year.
Taking note of recent poaching incidents, MoEF noted that “no person shall carry on the business of breeding or selling animals other than in the manner prescribed by the [animal husbandry] board.”

To prevent cruelty to animals and enforce the law, the central government will established Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The 30-member AWBI will be headed by former director general of forests. State animal welfare boards of 10 members each will also be formed. Three-year terms have been suggested for both boards.