Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA)

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA): Chapters & Sections

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA) is an important legislation in India aimed at preventing the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals. The Act establishes provisions concerning animal welfare, cruelty to animals, experimentation on animals, performing animals, and related legal procedures. This post provides an overview of the chapters and sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, including its major provisions and regulatory framework.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960), enacted on 26^th December 1960, was introduced to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and to provide a legal framework for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

An Act

To prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and for that purpose to amend the law relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960), as amended by Central Act 26 of 1982.

Arrangement of Sections

Chapter I – Preliminary

• Short title, extent, and commencement.
• Definitions.
• Duties of persons having charge of animals.

Chapter II – Animal Welfare Board of India

• Establishment of Animal Welfare Board of India.
• Constitution of the Board (Reconstitution of the Board).
• Term of office and conditions of service of members of the Board.
• Secretary and other employees of the Board.
• Funds of the Board.
• Functions of the Board.
• Power of the Board to make regulations.

Chapter III – Cruelty to Animals Generally

• Treating animals with cruelty.
• Penalty for practicing Phooka or doom dev.
• Destruction of suffering animals.

Chapter IV – Experimentation on Animals

• Experiments on animals.
• Committee for the Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (Sub-Committee).
• Staff of the Committee.
• Duties of the Committee and power of the Committee to make rules relating to experiments on animals.
• Power of entry and inspection.
• Power to prohibit experiments on animals.
• Penalties.

Chapter V – Performing Animals

• “Exhibit” and “Trained” defined.
• Restriction on exhibition and training of performing animals.
• Procedure for registration.
• Power of court to prohibit or restrict exhibition and training of performing animals.
• Power to enter premises.
• Offences.
• Exemptions.

Chapter VI – Miscellaneous

• Saving as respects manner of killing prescribed by religion.
• Power of court to deprive a person convicted of ownership of an animal.
• Presumptions as to guilt in certain cases.
• Cognizability of offences.
• Powers of search and seizure.
• Search warrants.
• General power of seizure for examination.
• Treatment and care of animals.
• Limitation of prosecutions.
• Delegation of powers.
• Power to make rules (Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament).
• Persons authorized under section 34 to be public servants.
• Indemnity.
• Repeal of Act 11 of 1890.