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Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organization (FIAPO) and All Creatures Great and Small (ACGS) reported that close to 4.2 lakhs of animals were victims of crimes by humans in the past ten years.
FIAPO report for the year 2020-21 showed five animals die every day due to violent crimes committed by humans. It also shows that the actual figure is likely to be ten times higher- amounting to two animals’ death per hour in India.
Animal Rights Activists suggest the need for Animal Protection Police Force in India. Col. Nawaz Sharif, General Manager, People for Animal, Bangalore, said, “There has been a large increase in cases against animal cruelty, especially against stray dogs; people have become intolerant. Even though there is a supreme court ruling they can’t be relocated, we get a huge number of cases of them being relocated. There is an increase in man-animal conflict, which need to be addressed like in other countries we have animal welfare police.”
The police force is trained only to address animal issues. General police in Bangalore or anywhere else say that they’re already over-stressed. Police that is aware of animal welfare law, he added. Shruti Mukherjee, an animal rights activist said, “They’re just taking the puppies and putting the babies inside the pointing edges, or drag them by tying a wire around them. When we go to the police, they say why you’re so bothered about animals? Police have been very casual, and they have no clue about these offenses.”
In 2019, CUPA activists in Bangalore caught a vehicle dumping 18 dogs with their legs and mouth tied outside the city limits. And, in 2018, over 25 dogs were fed poisoned meat in Bangalore. However, Police said, “There is no separate department at all. All the police stations are looking after if any such cases occur.”
The FAPO report also recommended there is a need for a separate Ministry that looks after animal welfare, protection, and right as the Animal Welfare Protection Board of India (AWPBI), comes under the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.
