Target: Hon. Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, India
Goal: Ensure stricter enforcement of animal cruelty laws and raise awareness about animal welfare in Mumbai.
Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra has seen a troubling rise in animal cruelty cases, with many incidents going unreported. Annually, between 300 and 350 cases are registered across the city. Recent events underscore this disturbing trend, including the reported brutal killing of a puppy by a car driver in Kandivali and the alleged fatal attack on a pet dog by an auto driver. Additionally, a shocking illegal horse race on the Western Express Highway in Vile Parle reportedly involved horses being brutally whipped to draw carts, drawing the ire of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
In another horrific incident, a man was arrested in Bangur Nagar for reportedly beating street dogs to death. Meanwhile, in Bandra, unknown persons killed three cats and fatally attacked two others, with one case involving a Rs 4,500 contract to kill a dog. These incidents highlight a widespread callousness towards animals and the urgent need for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws.
Inspector Sudheer Kudalkar of MHB police station, founder of Pure Animal Lover Foundation, emphasized the importance of awareness regarding animal welfare laws, noting that current bailable offenses fail to deter cruelty effectively. Kudalkar advocates for non-bailable offenses to prevent animal abuse. PETA India’s Meet Ashar reported 67 animal cruelty cases in Mumbai between April and June, stressing the lack of comprehensive data on the true extent of the problem. Ensure stricter enforcement of animal cruelty laws.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Devendra Fadnavis,
I am writing to express my deep concern over the rising cases of animal cruelty in Mumbai. Recent incidents, including the seemingly brutal killing of a puppy by a car driver in Kandivali and the reported fatal attack on a pet dog by an auto driver, underscore a disturbing trend of callousness towards animals. Additionally, the illegal horse race on the Western Express Highway in Vile Parle allegedly involved severe mistreatment of horses, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Despite existing laws, these acts of cruelty continue, partly due to the bailable nature of these offenses. This leniency fails to deter abusers effectively. As noted by Inspector Sudheer Kudalkar and PETA India’s Meet Ashar, stricter enforcement and greater awareness of animal welfare laws are essential to prevent such incidents.
I urge you to take immediate and decisive action to strengthen animal welfare laws, making offenses non-bailable to serve as a stronger deterrent. Additionally, raising public awareness about animal rights and the importance of humane treatment is crucial.
Your intervention is vital to safeguard the welfare of animals in Mumbai and ensure justice for the victims of cruelty. Let us work together to create a society where animals are treated with the compassion and respect they deserve.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Jon Hurd
