Mumbai Police Registers Murder of Dogs, Second Video Showing More Dogs Tortured Surfaces – PETA India Offers Rs 50,000 Reward to Nab Perpetrators

Mumbai, 29th August (GNI): After learning from a viral video ( https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwcOHkVMiuY/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D) that two men attempted to kill community dogs by stuffing them in sacks after tying their mouths and legs with plastic wire in the Jogeshwari area of Mumbai, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India worked with a concerned citizen to file a formal complaint at Amboli police station. There, a first information report (FIR) was registered under sections 34 and 511 read with Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and Section 11(1)(a) and (d) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. The FIR was registered against two unknown persons whose faces are visible in the video.

While this was taking place, a second video ( https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cwe09UiJgDb/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D ) surfaced, also from Jogeshwari, of similar cruelty to dogs. PETA India will be taking action on that matter, too, by making a formal complaint at Oshiwara police station, requesting the registration of an FIR. PETA India is now also offering a Rs 50,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for either of these crimes.

PETA India and Mumbai police are urging anyone with information about the perpetrators to contact PETA India’s animal emergency helpline on 9820122602 or at Info@petaindia.org Informants’ identities will be kept confidential upon request.

“Individuals who abuse animals often move on to harming humans. For everyone’s safety, we’re urging anyone who knows who hurt these dogs to come forward,” says PETA India Cruelty Response Coordinator Saloni Sakaria. “We also commend Amboli police station for sending the message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.”

PETA India recommends that the perpetrators of crimes against animals undergo psychiatric evaluation and receive counselling, as abusing animals indicates deep psychological disturbance. Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals, including humans. For example, Ameerul Islam, sentenced for raping and murdering a Kerala law student, had a history of raping and killing dogs and goats. A study published in the Journal of Emotional Abuse found that 71% of abused women who sought shelter at a safe home and who had companion animals confirmed that their partner had threatened, injured, or killed the animals.

PETA India – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way” – has long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders, although the IPC prescribes stronger punishments. In a proposal sent to the central government regarding an amendment to the PCA Act, PETA India has recommended significantly increasing penalties for cruelty to animals.

For more information, please visit PETAIndia.com or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.ends GNI