West Bengal tops list of states cruel to animals

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*http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=36939*

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*Thursday, March 27, 2008*

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*16:30 IST *

Maximum number of cases pertaining to cruelty to animals in the country

have been reported from West Bengal. More than, 17,000 such cases were

reported during the year 2006-07. West Bengal also tops in cruelty to

animals during last 3 years i.e. 2004-05 to 2006-07. During this 3 years

40,000 animals were reported for facing cruelty. Delhi stands second

followed by Uttar Pradesh in this cruelty. During last 3 years, 1389, 1572

and 1826 cases were reported respectively in Delhi. During the same period

less than 4,000 cases were reported from Uttar Pradesh. 1541 cases were

reported during 2004-05, 1296 cases during 2005-06 and 1127 cases were

reported during 2006-07 in Uttar Pradesh.

 

During the year 2006-07, 255 cases of animal cruelty were reported in

Haryana, 79 in Kerala, 71 in Andhra Pradesh and 65 in Chhattisgarh.

 

The number of persons convicted in this regard were highest in Uttar Pradesh

followed by Delhi and West Bengal respectively. 4265 persons were convicted

during 2004-05, 3338 were convicted during 2005-06 and 3037 were convicted

during 2006-07 where as, 1389, 1570 and 1838 persons were convicted in Delhi

during same respective period.

 

The Government has made provisions to check such incidents. The Preventions

of cruelty to animals (PCA) Act, 1960 was enacted by the Central Government

to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.

Prevention of Cruelty falls in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and

hence the appropriate law enforcement machinery are the State

Government/Local Authorities. Animal welfare Board of India (AWBI), the

statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests addresses all the

State Governments to enforce the provisions regarding cruelties to animals

and to book the offenders suitably.