The New Indian Express By

The video of a soon-to-be doctor in Chennai tossing a puppy from a terrace went viral earlier this week, spawning outrage and horror across the nation. However, in a rare instance of outrage being channelled positively, netizens helped activists and the police track down the offenders and even locate and treat the puppy that had miraculously survived the drop. But the animal welfare community and concerned citizens ran into the familiar wall of shortfalls in law when the accused were released on bail shortly after being arrested. Worse, it appears that they may even be allowed to complete their course and proceed to a career in medicine, although at the moment they have been suspended from the medical college.

The entire case has brought to light several problems, key among them being the failure of animal protection laws to keep up with new findings and ways of thinking about animals and animal cruelty. Several studies are now available that indicate the connection between cruelty towards animals and violence towards people around the animal abusers. The law, however, has failed to recognise this connection, viewing acts of wanton cruelty as discrete events that can be addressed with light fines or sentences. It is imperative that these laws are reviewed in light of the gravity of such crimes. Further, sentences awarded to animal abusers — as to all violent offenders — must look at addressing recidivism and preventing escalation of violence.

Meanwhile, the medical community must take a long, hard look at its own strictures and consider whether persons who have committed violent crimes, including against animals, should be allowed to practice medicine. Doctors must have empathy and as individuals, who exercise immense power over the lives of patients, must also be worthy of the trust placed on them. More sensitivity not only among doctors but also the society at large is needed.