The Draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Amendment) Bill-2022

To overhaul the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, the Center has proposed the Draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Amendment) Bill-2022.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying have prepared the Bill-2022.
The bill introduces 61 amendments to the six-decade-old law, including a provision for three-year jail for committing “gruesome cruelty” and five-year imprisonment for killing an animal.

Imprisonment for killing the animal
The draft proposes a maximum 5-year imprisonment and a fine for killing an animal. For this, a new clause has been proposed.
Gruesome cruelty

The Act defines gruesome cruelty as “an act that leads to extreme pain and suffering to the animals which may cause lifelong disability or death”.
Gruesome cruelty shall be punishable with a minimum fine of Rs 50,000, which may be extended up to Rs 75,000, or a judicial magistrate may decide the cost.
Bestiality
The draft includes ‘bestiality’ as a crime under the new category of ‘gruesome cruelty.
Community Animals

The draft proposals introduce the community animal as – any animal born in a community for which no ownership has been claimed.
In the case of community animals, the local government shall be responsible for their care.
Five freedoms for animals

About
It discusses different forms of cruelty, exceptions, and the killing of a suffering animal in case any cruelty has been committed against it to relieve it from further suffering.
Punishment
This Act provides punishment for causing unnecessary cruelty and suffering to animals. The Act defines animals and different forms of animals.
The Animal Welfare Board of India
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Act.

Content Source: Indian Express