Animal Rights: Cruelty to Animals

The principle of ‘Animal Rights’ is also called as animal liberation. This has assumed a lot of significance as there are many international organizations working to protect animals. However, India still lags far behind in the context of implementing animal rights.

Did you know that leather exports from India fell by 6.8% between April 2000 and January 2001? This happened because international retail companies like Eddie Bauer, L.L. Bean, Timberland, Liz Claireborne, Casual Corner, Travel 2000 and Bader joined ranks to boycott leather and any related leather products from India. This move was in response to reports about mass killing of animals in India. In 2000 alone, 24,300,000 cattle, 46,700,000 goats and 16,000,000 pigs were killed in India. This data is based on the estimates provided by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Animal Rights: What You Should do

Are animals treated well in this country? Not really. Are animal rights given due importance? Not beyond paper presentations. The truth is that many of us feel strongly about any form of cruelty to animals. However, what can we do to stop this from happening? Here is a good way to start:

Where to Start: Find out who or which authority investigates the anti cruelty laws in your area. You can get in touch with local humane societies, animal shelters or societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA's). You can also contact your area SHO for help.

Gather Evidence: Provide factual statements to the officer in writing. If possible, take pictures of the situation and mention the date and time of the incident.

Pursue Your Case: In case the earlier steps do not work, submit the documents with a local government official, say for instance, the local MLA. You can also report the matter at the local police station. Getting expert witnesses such as a veterinarian will make your case strong. If nothing works, approach the local newspaper or TV station to spread the story to masses. This will force the local officials to take an immediate action against the offender.

Approach the Police: Report the matter to a police officer above the rank of a constable. If your request goes unheard on the pretext that there are many other serious problems to be dealt with, you can gently remind them that the PCA Act, 1960 is applicable to be enforced by them. Another alternative is to approach the police along with a group of animal rights activists.

You can also inform the police over the phone by dialing 100 (Central Control Room), if there is an emergency you want to report about violation of animal rights. You can call as an anonymous if you do not wish to reveal your identity.

Give Away Your Tip: We belong to a country where animals have been loved and even worshipped. Have we become so indifferent and greedy that we no longer care about protecting these animals from exploitation and neglect? What’s your take on it?