brand logo

Animal cruelty could face Rs. 125,000 fine or 3-yr prison term

12 Jan 2022

 
  • Cabinet approves Mahindananda’s Animal Welfare Bill
  • Applicable to farm and wild animals, pets, and strays
  The Cabinet of Ministers has on Monday (10) approved the Animal Welfare Bill, presented by Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage regarding any farm or wild animal, pet, or stray, with a maximum proposed fine of Rs. 125,000 for acts of animal cruelty and/or a minimum term of imprisonment of three years. In a statement released yesterday (11), Aluthgamage said that the Bill aims to protect any animal from cruelty or torture. “The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, which was passed in 1907, currently regulates the welfare of animals. The fine that can be imposed for animal cruelty under that law is only Rs. 100. Therefore, we have taken steps to amend this law. Cabinet approval has been obtained for that. The proposed Bill is expected to be gazetted, and presented to the Parliament for approval. Under the new law, animal cruelty carries a maximum penalty of Rs. 125,000 and/or a minimum of three years in prison,” Aluthgamage further said. Aluthgamage also said that a separate unit will be established under a separate veterinary officer to implement the Animal Welfare Act. In a Tweet on Monday night, Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said that the draft of the Animal Welfare Bill will be tabled in Parliament soon. “This is an important Bill that was discussed at length in recent times. There are a large number of people who are concerned about the welfare of animals, and this Bill is fortunate news for all of us. It aims to provide legal protection for animals and thus, is very progressive,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said at the weekly cabinet decisions press briefing. The former United National Front (UNF)-led Government also attempted to pass an Animal Welfare Bill. Although the Bill was introduced during the first 100 days of that Government, it was then studied by several ministries over the year and was still not passed at the end of that Government’s tenure. Animal rights activists have consistently raised the need for an Animal Welfare Bill which addresses present concerns.


More News..