In a recent ruling, a Delhi court sentenced a man to one year in prison for throwing acid on a dog in 2020, emphasizing that life is as precious to mute creatures as it is to humans.
The case, brought to light by Onwati Yadav of Paharganj, involved allegations that the accused had poured acid on her dog’s eye, face, and other parts of its body. Yadav also claimed that the man had verbally abused her and threatened the dog while she was bathing it.
“The act of using a corrosive substance, resulting in the loss of the dog’s eye, is a severe offense. Allowing such a person to escape with minimal punishment and showing leniency would send the wrong message to society,” stated Judge Richa Sharma, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate.
Judge Sharma’s order was underscored with references from prominent thinkers. Citing German philosopher Immanuel Kant, she remarked, “He who is cruel to animals becomes hard in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”
Judge Quotes Gandhi in Sentencing: Life of a Lamb Equally Precious
Judge Sharma, in her sentencing remarks, quoted Mahatma Gandhi: “In my view, the life of a lamb is as precious as that of a human. I would be unwilling to take the life of a lamb even for the sake of the human body. The more helpless a creature, the more it deserves protection from human cruelty.”
The convicted individual has been granted bail for one month to allow time for filing an appeal against the conviction and sentence.
In March, the court found the man guilty of offenses under Section 429 (Mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc.) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Section 11 (1) (cruelty to animals) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
