Does India need tough laws to prevent cruelty to animals?

The Delhi High Court has recently sought the Centre and the Delhi government's stand on a petition by former India cricketer Kapil Dev against cruelty to animals.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma issued notice to the governments on the petition which has challenged provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

According to media reports, the plea challenged a portion of Section 11 of the Act, which "provides for the destruction of stray dogs in a lethal chamber or by such other methods as may be prescribed and for extermination or destruction of any animal under the authority of any law for the time being in force", on the ground that it was arbitrary, unreasonable and violative of Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution.

The petitioners have prayed for launching sensitization drives about the rights of animals and also sought directions for providing scientific and updated tools and training to veterinarians as well as local investigation agencies and judicial officers to equip them with knowledge of animal laws prevalent in the country, media reports further read.

The plea has also challenged sections 428 (Mischief by killing or maiming animal of the value of ten rupees) and 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc., of any value or any animal of the value of fifty rupees) of the Indian Penal Code claiming that it is an instance of speciesism suggesting lack of moral worth or value in animals.

The matter will be heard next on December 19