Replace 1960 animal cruelty act, parliamentarians urged

An NGO working for animal rights Wednesday urged parliamentarians to replace the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 with the draft Animal Welfare Bill, 2014 which provides for more stringent punishment for abuse of animals, imposes heavy fines and promotes welfare of animals.

"The 1960 law has failed to protect animals due to lack of enforcement. The current penalties amount to a maximum of only Rs.50 and fail miserably to deter animal abusers. Taking advantage of this act, animal abusers continue to inflict unfathomable cruelties on animals. We urge parliament to pass the new bill so that animal abusers do not go unpunished," said N.G Jayasimha, managing director of Humane Society International India.

Before the draft Animal Welfare Bill, 2014, there was also a proposed Animal Welfare Act, 2011 which however could not get passed.

"As the earlier bill proposed by the UPA government could not be passed, so we are urging the government to pass this new draft bill which will not only prevent cruelty but will also promote welfare of animals," added Jayasimha.