Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 - Penalties

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act) outlines penalties primarily under Sections 11, 12, 15, and 20 for various offenses against animals, with fines and imprisonment scaled by severity and repetition. These apply to acts like beating, overloading, neglect, or specific cruel practices, though critics note the original penalties are modest.

 

General Cruelty (Section 11)

 

First-time offenses (e.g., causing unnecessary pain, starvation, mutilation, or overloading) carry a fine of ₹10–50. Repeat offenses within 3 years increase to a minimum fine of ₹25 (up to ₹100), imprisonment up to 3 months, or both.

 

Phooka/Doom Dev (Section 12)

 

Performing or permitting these lactation-enhancing operations on milch animals results in a fine up to ₹1,000, imprisonment up to 2 years, or both; the animal is forfeited to the government.

 

Experiments (Sections 14–20)

 

Performing unauthorized experiments or breaching committee orders leads to fines up to ₹200 (Section 20). Repeat violations can escalate similarly to general cruelty.

 

Exemptions and Notes

 

Certain acts like prescribed dehorning, castration, or stray dog destruction are exempt if done humanely. Amendments (e.g., 2017 proposals) aimed to raise fines to ₹50,000–75,000 and add 1–3 years imprisonment for "gruesome cruelty" like bestiality, but core 1960 penalties remain baseline unless updated by state rules.