A candlelight vigil was organised at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, on Thursday evening to mourn the death of police horse Shaktiman.
A number of animal welfare advocates and those following Shaktiman’s recovery since the beating she took at the March 14 rally in Dehra Dun gathered to show their solidarity and demand a revision in the penalties for animal cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Humane Society International/India and People for Animals were the chief organisers of the vigil.
They said that all forms of animal cruelty — neglect, confinement, beating, torture and killing — are punishable with a maximum fine of just Rs.50.They demanded that the penalty needs to be updated to deter animal abusers and urged lawmakers to bring this change via an amendment to the Act in the upcoming Parliament session.
