In light of the recent events highlighting cruelty against animals in India, it is good to know if there are any rules in favour of people who help stray animals.

The Delhi High Court has stated that there are no laws that prohibit people from feeding stray animals.

#pet #love #stray #cat #kitty A photo posted by Abhishek Kothari (@abhik0904) on Mar 22, 2016 at 8:13am PDT

It further said that feeding stray dogs is both lawful and helpful. However, the Court, in its statement in December 2009 and February 2010, has added that the stray dogs have to be fed so that it is easy to confine them to the areas they belong to, to facilitate animal birth control and annual vaccination.

It is a criminal offence to feed stray animals poisonous food.

If caught doing so, the person can be charged under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 that extends to the whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir. Sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code and the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 make it illegal to maim or cause injury to any animal with a monetary value greater than Rs 10. It is also illegal for vehicles to purposefully injure dogs, cats, and cows on the street. If you are caught violating these laws, you can be reported to the local animal protection group and to the police. A case can be filed under the above mentioned sections as well.

Punishment is a fine of at least Rs 2,000 and/or a jail term of up to five years.

You think the city is cold The roads rough and the people tough No one is taking you home. But they will fall for the bed that you need They will park for a haven to dream He's watching over you Giving you hints and directions to find your spot You will find the warmth you need Sleep sweet child of mine He's watching over you. - ColdCity WarmHearts Falling Leaves ParkedCars Stray Haven - MY STRAYING ALIVE SERIES #LoveStrays#StraysOfMumbai#StraysOfBandra#StraysOfInstagram#StrayingAlive#LoveDogs#StreetLife#StreetDogs#Dogs#Sleep#SweetChild#Dream#HesWatching#ColdCity#WarmHearts#FallingLeaves#ParkedCars#ShelterForTheStrays#StrayHeaven#Haven#BeKind#God#MyNeigbourhood#Bandra#Mumbai A photo posted by Shaalu Wadhwa (@shaalutini) on Jan 9, 2016 at 9:38pm PST

Under the Govt. of India, Animal Birth Control Rules 2001, no sterilised dogs can be relocated from their area. As per five different High Court orders, sterilised dogs have to remain in their original areas. If the dog is not sterilised, the society can simply ask an animal welfare organisation to sterilise and vaccinate the dog.

The Animal Welfare Board of India issues IDs for people who feed stray animals.

Early morning chill. A photo posted by Vasu Agarwal (@vasuagarwal) on Mar 22, 2016 at 12:42pm PDT

These IDs help in protecting women and senior citizens, especially, who care for animals from animal-haters. The Board also organises Animal Welfare Fortnights, held this year in January, which have hardly caught anyone's notice.

People choose to ignore these rules because implementation largely depends on NGOs.

Stray dogs are protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and rules enacted under Section 38 of the act, particularly, the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001; Indian Penal Code, sections 428 & 429 and Article 51A (g) of the Constitution. Despite such extensive laws, people go scot-free because bringing them to justice is a difficult task.

Filing an FIR against people who are cruel to animals or towards people who care for animals is important.

This is Razia. Razia attends classes more than me. Razia eats pedigree. Razia eats drools. Razia has a new crush in college. Razia is calm. Razia lives the moment #dogsofinstagram #doglove #lovestrays A photo posted by Shakti (@shaktism15) on Feb 5, 2016 at 6:29am PST

Filing an FIR in your local police station not only forces the officials to take action, but also helps in maintaining a record of repeat offenders for NGOs and other animal welfare groups.