Animal Abuse

Animal cruelty is a complex issue that affects millions of living beings across India—from street dogs and cats to cattle, birds, and working equines. Understanding what constitutes abuse and knowing how to respond is the first step toward creating a more compassionate society.

What Constitutes Abuse?

Abuse is not always a single act of violence. It often takes many forms, some of which are less obvious than others:

• Physical Violence: Beating, kicking, or deliberate torture of any animal.
• Neglect: Failure to provide sufficient food, clean water, or adequate shelter from sun and rain.
• Overworking: Forcing "beasts of burden" like donkeys, horses, or bullocks to pull loads beyond their capacity or while injured.
• Illegal Caging: Keeping birds or wild animals in small, cramped cages that prevent natural movement.
• Abandonment: Leaving a domestic pet or an unproductive farm animal to fend for itself.