Mumbai: FIR against HSC student for gouging out dog’s eyes, beating him to death

MUMBAI: A 17-year-old collegian — who is to appear for his HSC exams this year — has been booked by the Santacruz police station for brutally beating a local community dog to death, and also gouging its eyes out in a moment of manic violence.
Activists of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA India) had contacted senior Mumbai Police officials earlier this week in order to get the shocking offence registered.
"A local source had informed us that a teenager had cruelly hit a dog at Gazdhar Bandh area of Santacruz (west) earlier this week and had also gouged out both his eyes. After getting hold of the victim dog's photos from the spot and a video, we had contacted the additional commissioner of police (western region) Sandeep Karnik, as well as the senior police inspector of Santacruz police, Dnyaneshwar Ganore, in order to successfully lodge the FIR against the boy," said the PETA India emergency response team associate manager Meet Ashar.
Police have booked the boy under Section 429 of the IPC and section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
"Since the accused is a minor, he will be produced before a juvenile justice court by the police," said Ashar.
“PETA India commends the efforts of the Mumbai Police in taking steps to send the message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated," said Ashar and added, “Since those who abuse animals often move on to harming humans, it’s imperative that the public report cases of cruelty to animals such as this one for everyone’s safety.”
PETA India also recommends that the teenager undergoes psychiatric evaluation and receives counselling, as abusing animals indicates a deep mental disturbance.
Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals or humans.
Animal rights activists have long campaigned to strengthen the PCA Act, 1960, which contains outdated, inadequate penalties, such as a maximum fine of only Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders, although the IPC does contain stronger punishments.
In PETA India’s recent proposal sent to the central government regarding an amendment to the PCA Act, 1960, the group recommended increasing penalties for cruelty to animals to a range between Rs 25,000 and Rs 1 lakh and up to five years of imprisonment.
For a cognizable offence or a second non-cognizable offence, the group also recommends seizing the person’s animal and depriving him or her of owning or working with any animal.
Watch Shocker from Mumbai: 17-year-old HSC student beats stray dog to death, gouges its eyes out