GANGTOK: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India), as part of a three-day sensitisation workshop on animal protection laws in Sikkim, hosted their first session of the Activist Training Program at a local hotel on Saturday here in Gangtok.
The three-day programme is being hosted by Lawyer cum Head of PETA India’s Cruelty Response Division, Meet Ashar, who is also an honorary Animal Welfare Representative of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
Ashar, with 15-years of experience of working for the welfare of animals, in his address, said that these sessions aim to enhance the understanding and enforcement of animal protection laws, equip individuals and key stakeholders with the tools necessary to address cruelty to animals cases effectively, and promote inter-departmental collaboration. He said that this is the first such initiative in Sikkim and a significant step towards building a more compassionate, informed and legally compliant society.
Today’s programme began with the distribution of the Law Enforcement Handbook on Animal Welfare Laws, published by the Animal Welfare Board of India under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
The workshop started by raising awareness about the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which is the main law in India focused on preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals. This law was passed by the Indian Parliament and forms the foundation of animal welfare in the country.
During the session, Ashar discussed his experiences of various real-life case studies. He explained the difference between intentional abuse and accidental harm to animals. He also spoke about the poor mental health of animals kept in unnatural settings like zoos and fish tanks.
Ashar in his presentation answered important questions related to law enforcement and seriousness of animal cruelty. He explained that people who abuse animals often suffer from serious mental health issues such as sociopathic or psychopathic disorders.
These individuals may start by harming animals and later go on to harm people, seeking a feeling of power and control over those they see as weaker. He mentioned the cases of Veerappan and Ameer-Ul-Islam as examples. He also pointed out the strong connection between animal abuse and domestic violence.
Ashar then proceeded to explain the two categories of offences in relation to animal cruelty: Cognisable and Non-Cognisable offences, and Bailable and Non-Bailable offences. He said that acts like killing, injuring, poisoning, or making an animal useless fall under cognisable offences, which are more serious.
He also highlighted the procedure to follow after witnessing a crime against animals. He explained important parts of the Constitution and other central and state laws, including the rules made under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Vetero-Legal procedure, and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. He described the powers the police have in such cases, including how they can seize animals from illegal trade or abusive situations.
Towards the conclusion of the presentation, Ashar discussed laws specific to Sikkim. This included the Sikkim Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 2017, which bans the killing of cows and their female offspring, milking cows, dry cows, heifers, and calves. The law states that even if a cow is sick, a person must get a certificate from the proper authority before it can be slaughtered. Breaking this law can lead to at least two years in jail (up to five years), along with a fine of at least Rs 10,000.
He also mentioned the Sikkim (Livestock and Livestock Products Control) Act, 1985, which manages the supply and sale of livestock and their products in the state. The goal of this law is to make sure these products are available at fair prices and are traded in a proper way.
Today’s interactive session came to an end with a question and answer session.
Today’s workshop was attended by various Non-Governmental Organisations, namely, People For Animals (PFA) Sikkim, Citizen Animal Shelter, the Guardian, animal rescuers and activists.
- IPR Report
