Protecting Animals through Awareness and Legislation
Editorial
April 2023, volume 47, No 4

Efforts to achieve justice and compassion for the protection and safety of animals have been ongoing. However, acts of violence towards animals continue to be rampant and prevalent. Activists, politicians, and people from all walks of life around the world have made everyday efforts to become the voice for voiceless animals and call for stricter rules and legislation. Recently, in India, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying proposed a draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2022, aimed at overhauling The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The Bill proposes stricter punishments such as heavier fines and up to a maximum of 5 years imprisonment for perpetrators of cruelty to animals. Additionally, it includes ‘bestiality’ as a crime under the new category of ‘gruesome cruelty’.

While there are laws, acts, rules, regulations, and sections in adherence to the protection of animals, citizens are often unaware of their duties and the repercussions of committing crimes against animals. A good legal system should be able to deliver justice expeditiously, but citizens need to be aware of what is mandated by the legal system for effective implementation of laws and reduction in crime against animals. Awareness campaigns, faster judicial processes, and medical aid and services need to be ramped up for smoother enforcement and improving the efficacy of these laws.

For awareness to reach all sections of society, it needs to be spread through social media campaigns, faster and stricter persecution of offenders, formulation of special courts, improving knowledge and skill training of police patrolling officers, building more shelters, encouraging adoption, and taking action against illegal and excessive commercialization of animals. Local leaders and representatives can also play a major role in spreading awareness.

Consciousness-raising plays a crucial role in strengthening the understanding of the need for animal welfare and protection. The understanding and awareness of why animal protection and welfare are essential need to be followed by an understanding of how this protection and welfare can and need to be provided and maintained. Living in harmony and with a sense of compassion should not just be a legal obligation but a moral duty that people need to instil within themselves and future generations. There is a need to create a balance between humans and animals to maintain stability and harmony between humans and nature for the welfare of the planet as a whole. The power of humans as a species should not lie in abuse, violence, control, domination, or exploitation of other species but in being compassionate, responsible, empathetic, and accountable for the well-being of all.

While India has taken steps towards stricter animal protection laws, there have also been positive developments in other parts of the world. For example, in Canada, the government has proposed a bill that would ban the captivity of whales, dolphins and porpoises for entertainment purposes. The Bill, known as Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, would prohibit the breeding, import, and export of these marine mammals. This is a major step towards ending the exploitation of these intelligent creatures for human entertainment.

In the United States, California recently became the first State to ban the sale of fur products. The ban includes clothing, handbags, shoes, and other accessories made from animal fur. This move is a significant victory for animal rights activists and will help reduce demand for fur products, which often involves cruel and inhumane treatment of animals.

Meanwhile, in Europe, the European Parliament has called for the end of live animal transport to non-EU countries. The resolution highlights the need for animal welfare to be prioritized over economic interests and calls for the development of alternative means of transport that are less harmful to animals. This is a welcome development for animal welfare, as long-distance transportation of animals can be extremely stressful and inhumane.

Despite these positive developments, there is still much work to be done to protect animals around the world. Many countries still lack comprehensive animal protection laws, and animal cruelty and exploitation remain prevalent. It is essential that governments, organizations, and individuals continue to work together to raise awareness of animal welfare issues and push for stronger laws and regulations to protect animals from harm.

At the individual level, there are many ways in which people can help protect animals. This includes adopting pets from animal shelters instead of buying from breeders, supporting animal welfare organizations through donations or volunteering, reducing meat consumption, and avoiding products made from animal materials. By taking small steps to make a difference, we can all contribute to a more compassionate and just world for animals.

Srishti Mishra is a psychologist who cares deeply about biodiversity.