Parliament Question: Cruelty to Animals

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2641 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05th AUGUST, 2025 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS 2641 SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS, SHRI GOVIND MAKTHAPPA KARJOL AND SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a true that the penalty for acts of cruelty to animals, including killing or maiming, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 is currently as low as 10 to 50 and if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of cases of animal cruelty registered in the country during the last five years, year and State/UT-wise including Karnataka; (c) the number of cases in which penalties were actually imposed under the Act, along with the nature of awarded punishments, State-wise; (d) whether the Government has assessed the effectiveness of existing penalties in deterring cruelty towards animals and if so, the details thereof; (e) whether any proposals are under consideration of the Government to amend and strengthen the penalty provisions of the Act to ensure stronger enforcement and deterrence and if so, the details and timelines thereof; (f) the details of the steps taken by the Government to reduce the cases of cruelty against animals in the country, if so, the details thereof; (g) the details of the steps taken by the Government to investigate on death of Animals and strict actions taken by the Government to punish culprits in Karnataka; and (h) whether the Government has aware about death of Tigers and other wild animals in the State of Karnataka, if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI S. P. SINGH BAGHEL) (a) As per Section 11(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, any person who treats an animal cruelly shall, for the first offence, be punishable with a fine not less than ₹10 but which may extend to ₹50. For a second or subsequent offence committed within three years of the previous offence, the person shall be punishable with a fine not less than ₹25 but which may extend to ₹100, or with imprisonment for a term that may extend to three months, or with both.(b) The subject of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals falls under the Concurrent List (List III) of the 7th Schedule of the Constitution of India. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, also contains enabling provisions for penalizing acts of cruelty to animals. While enforcement primarily rests with the respective State Governments, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) actively pursues complaints received from across the country by forwarding them to the concerned State Governments, District Collectors, Magistrates, and Superintendents of Police. Over the last five years, AWBI has addressed 4,589 complaints, forwarding them to the appropriate authorities for necessary legal action. Year-wise details of complaints and actions taken are available at: https://awbi.gov.in/Cruelty (c) to (f) Complaints of animal cruelty are primarily dealt with by local authorities, as enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 is under the jurisdiction of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. AWBI does not maintain any data on penalties imposed or nature of punishments awarded. Out of the 4,589 complaints forwarded to State Governments, Action Taken Reports (ATRs) have been received for 306 cases. The Government and AWBI continues to promote animal welfare through education, training, awareness programs, and financial assistance. Training initiatives have been launched for police personnel, Gaushala workers, and Honorary Animal Welfare Officers. Awareness campaigns, advisory issuance, and collaborative efforts with State Governments and NGOs are ongoing. AWBI has published handbooks on animal laws, supports Colony Animal Caretaker authorizations, and provides financial aid to recognized shelters and Gaushalas under various schemes—for rescue operations, shelter management, ambulances, birth control programs, and disaster relief. The “Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Month” is celebrated every year from 14th January to 13th February. (g) The subject of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals falls under the Concurrent List. Alongside the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, also contains enabling penal provisions. Complaints are generally dealt with by local authorities under the jurisdiction of the respective States. The AWBI, however, forwards these complaints to appropriate authorities for necessary legal action. In the past five years, AWBI has received 269 complaints from Karnataka, of which 217 relate to animal deaths. (h) AWBI has also received complaints concerning the deaths of tigers and 20 monkeys in Karnataka, which were forwarded to the State Forest Department for appropriate action under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. As per available information, the accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. ************