Radio Indigo apologized twice on air following the protests and replied to each email that was sent against the program and RJ Meghna.

I have heard from other people who called the station that they are considering running programs to sensitize people towards animal related issues. I am glad that they are taking this stand.

I hope though that the person who committed this crime is traced and arrested, but I think that chances of that happening are slim.

JP's friend called me from Mumbai to ask for help with another cruelty case. Someone had thrown his girlfriend's pet cat against the wall, breaking the cats leg. She wanted to know what could be done. I thought it is useful to post information about what can be done in such cases.

Firstly, BE BRAVE. Go ahead and file an FIR. Or ask an animal welfare NGO to do it for you. Sadly the police are not always aware of the laws that protect animals. It is useful if you take with you a print out or better still if you have a copy of the Indian Constitution with you.

Based on the FIR a police constable goes to the house and arrests the person and confiscates the animal. We accompany because we take the animal away. However, if an NGO is helping you, they will. The confiscation may not be immediate because the family might fight it. However, in most cases the animal is taken away.

IPC(Indian Penal Code)Section 428.

Mischief by killing or maiming animal of the value of ten rupees
Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal or animals of the value of ten rupees or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, section 11, (1), (a)

11. (1) if any person
(a) beats, kicks, over-rides, over-drives, over-loads, tortures or otherwise treats any animal so as to subject it to unnecessary pain or suffering or causes, or being the owner permits, any animal to be so treated or

(b) *(employs in any work or labour or for any purpose any animal which, by reason of its age or any disease) infirmity, wound, sore or other cause, is unfit to be so employed or, being the owner, permits any such unfit animal to be employed; or

(c) willfully and unreasonably administers any injurious drug or injurious substance to **(any animal) or willfully and unreasonably causes or attempts to cause any such drug or substance to be taken by ***(any animal;) or

He shall be punishable **** (in the case of a first offence, with fine which shall not be less than ten rupees but which may extend to fifty rupees and in the case of a second or subsequent offence committed within three years of the previous offence, with fine which shall not be less than twenty five rupees but which may extend, to one hundred rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend, to three months, or with both.)

*** The words "for the purposes of his business" omitted by Act 26 of 1982,S. 10 (a) (iv)
**** Subs. ibid S. 10 (a) (vii) for the portion beginning with the words "in the case of a first offence" and ending with words "or with both".

2. For the purposes of section (1) an owner shall be deemed to have committed an offence if he has failed to exercise reasonable care and supervision with a view to the prevention of such offence;Provided that where an owner is convicted permitting cruelty by reason only of having failed to exercise such care and supervision, he shall not be liable to imprisonment without the option of a fine