Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 – UPSC

In this article, You will read Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 for UPSC IAS.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, authored by acclaimed dancer and animal lover, Rukmini Devi Arundale, is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted in 1960 to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and to amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Definitions. – In this Act, unless there is something repugnant to the context:-

1. “animal” means any domestic or captured animal [or bird];
2. “street” includes any way, road, lane, square, court, alley, passage, or open space, whether a through-fare or not, to which the public have access.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

• The legislative intent of the Act is to “prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals”.
• The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Act.
• This Act provides for punishment for causing unnecessary cruelty and suffering to animals. The Act defines animals and different forms of animals.
• Discusses different forms of cruelty, exceptions, and killing of a suffering animal in case any cruelty has been committed against it, so as to relieve it from further suffering.
• Provides the guidelines relating to experimentation on animals for scientific purposes.
• The Act enshrines the provisions relating to the exhibition of the performing animals, and offences committed against the performing animals.
• This Act provides for the limitation period of 3 months beyond which no prosecution shall lie for any offences under this Act.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017

• The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017 have been framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
• The Rules allow a Magistrate to forfeit the cattle of an owner facing trial under the Act.
  • The animals are then sent to infirmaries, animal shelters, etc.
  • The authorities can further give such animals for “adoption”.

Animal Welfare Board of India  (AWBI)

• It is a statutory body
• It is an advisory body advising the Government of India on animal welfare laws, and promotes animal welfare in the country of India.
• The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960.
• The Board consists of 28 Members, who serve for a period of 3 years.
• It works to ensure that animal welfare laws in the country are followed and provides grants to Animal Welfare Organisations.
• AWBI is functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D).
• It frames a range of rules on how animals ought to be humanely treated everywhere. It has also frequently litigated to have stricter laws to ensure animals were not unduly harassed or tortured.
• HQ shifted to Ballabhgarh in Faridabad District of Haryana from Chennai, Tamil Nadu