17 Animal Protection Laws Of India You Should Know About

By Ruchi Binod On Mar 20, 2023

A dog run over by a car, a cat poisoned by a neighbour or monkeys tortured on the road are incidents that we get to hear on a daily basis. The gruelling stories of killing and torturing animals have increased so much, that it has begun to normalize in the eyes of the public. The extent to which mankind has fallen is devastating and definitely bothersome. We believe that one of the main reasons is the unawareness among people about animal protection laws in India.

Also read: These Quotes From Famous People Will Encourage You To Love Animals

Hence, we bring to you a couple of animal protection laws in India that every responsible citizen must know.

1. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 prohibits animals such as monkeys, bears, lions, tigers, panthers and bulls from being utilized as performing animals.

2. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 makes willfully permitting an owned animal to roam on streets or leaving it on the streets to die of disease, old age or disability punishable by law.

3. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 makes it illegal to use an old or injured or unfit animal for work. The punishment for this offence applies to the owner as well as the user.

4. Beating, kicking, overriding, overloading, torturing, and causing unnecessary pain to any animal is punishable by law. Section 428 and 429 of the IPC provides for punishment of all acts of cruelty such as killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless of animals.

5. The Article 51A(g) of Indian Constitution states it to be a duty of every citizen of India “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.”

6. India banned animal testing for cosmetics in 2013 and further banned the import of animal-tested cosmetics in 2014.

7. Abandoning a pet animal without reasonable cause is prohibited by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

8. Keeping an animal on an unreasonably heavy or short chain for an unreasonable period of time is prohibited by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

9. No animal shall be slaughtered in a slaughter house in sight of other animals according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001

10. No animal that is pregnant, has an off-spring less than three months old and is under the age of three months can be slaughtered in a slaughterhouse. (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001)

11. The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 provides for the control of the stray dog population in India and requires the sterilization and vaccination of dogs.

12. No vehicle drawn by an animal can carry more than four persons excluding the driver and children below 6 years. (Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965)

13. No animal can be used to carry a load or draw a vehicle for more than nine hours a day. (Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965)

14. Stray dogs that have been operated for birth control cannot be captured or relocated by anybody including any authority. (Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 )

15. Carrying animals whether in any vehicle, manner or position which causes discomfort, pain or suffering is a punishable offence.

16. Monkeys and Langurs are protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and cannot be owned, traded, bought, sold, or hired out.

17. According to The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, disturbing the eggs or nests of birds or reptiles falls under the category of hunting and is liable for punishment.

These are some of the most significant animal protection laws in India. The enforcement of these laws is the responsibility of local authorities and law enforcement agencies, and penalties for violating these laws can range from fines to imprisonment.

India has one of the most comprehensive set of animal protection laws in the world. Despite this, we stand witness to animal abuse now and again. Animals deserve kindness and care just as we humans do and it is our responsibility to protect them. Now, we’ve told you a couple of laws that may come in handy whenever you see an animal mistreated.

If you come across any such cruelty, make sure you call your area’s Animal Helpline and do your bit for your companions.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” – Mahatma Gandhi