Legislations for the Protection of Animals against
Abuse and Cruelty
The Constitution of India in the 42nd Amendment in 1976 has
integrated provisions relating to protection of the environment by adding the
new provision of Article 48A under the Directive Principles of State Policy and
Article 51 A(g) under Fundamental duties.
Some other primary enactments for the protection of animals
against abuse are as follows:
- The Indian Penal Code of 1860
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Transport of Animals Rules, 1978
- Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 and
- The Performing Animals (Registration) Rules 2001.
Theoretical Perspectives on Animal Abuse
Animal Abuse can accurately be linked to the typology of
Violent Crime, White Collar Crime and Organized Crime. Incidences of cruelty on
animals reiterates the sick and barbaric mentality of human beings and their
profit gaining motive. The theory which can be latched on to animal abuse
concerning the present study is Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activity
Theory. Rational Choice Theory has been developed by Derek Cornish and Ronald
Clarke in the late 1970s who assumed that crime is a purposive behaviour by the
offender designed to meet the needs.
Methodology Adopted
The present study examines animal abuse and the manner in
which animals are victimized by human actions. It has incorporated the method
of Content Analysis with reference to Animal Abuse in India in the last decade.
Content Analysis is a research technique for the objective, systematic, and
quantitative description of manifest content of communication research procured
through linguistic expression, written or oral.
