List of offences, and fines for inflicting cruelty on domestic animals and illegal slaughtering

Hyderabad: The punishment for inflicting cruelty on domestic animals (cows, camels, buffaloes, bulls, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats) as per the PCA, is a fine of just Rs 10. If an animal is killed, the offence would attract three months imprisonment and Rs 1,000 fine. If booked under IPC 429, it will attract five years of imprisonment.

Illegal slaughtering will also attract the GHMC Act, with penalty starting from a fine of around Rs 50. For bulls and cockfights the AP Gaming Act prescribes one year imprisonment. For cruelty to animals under the Wildlife Act like Peacocks, which is a non-cognisable and non-compoundable offence, the maximum punishment as per Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, is six years, or a fine of Rs 25,000 or both.

In the case of monitor lizard, a cognisable offence as per the Wildlife Protection Act, the offenders will have to face prosecution. The punishment is a penalty of Rs 10,000 and imprisonment of up to seven years. In the case of Parakeets, the punishment is a maximum fine of Rs 25,000 and three years of imprisonment. In the case of snakes Sections 9 and 39 of the Wildlife Protection Act is applicable and it is a non-bailable offence.

The Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals Act 1960 covers all forms of physical torture or abuse. Any such act is is punishable for the first time with a fine of Rs 10 which may extend to Rs 50 and for the second time with a fine of Rs 25 up to Rs 100. The AP Prohibition of Cow Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act 1977 prohibits the slaughter of cows without the right certificate of permission by a competent authority. And if violated, the punishment is imprisonment extending to six months or fine of Rs 1,000 or both. These offences are cognizable.

The AP Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, Rule 253 says that a goods vehicle cannot carry more than six animals and they must have a valid certificate from a veterinary surgeon. No animal shall be transported in an open body vehicle. The body mist be closed on the top with facility for open air on all four sides.