View source for Animal welfare and rights in India

{{Short description|none}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{update|date=January 2019}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2020}}
}}
{{use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2026}}
{{Infobox country animal welfare
| country = India
| image = Gaushala in Sector 45, Chandigarh.jpg
| caption = A [[gaushala]] in Sector 45, [[Chandigarh]]
| legislation = [[Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act]] (1960)
| meat_production = 3.12 billion
| meat_production_per_capita = 2.2
| meat_production_year = 2022<ref>{{cite web| author1=Hannah Ritchie| author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |author2=Pablo Rosado| author3=Max Roser| author3-link=Max Roser |date=2023| title=Animal Welfare| url=https://ourworldindata.org/animal-welfare| publisher=[[Our World In Data]]}}</ref>
| vegetarian = 22%
| vegan = 19%
| diet_year = 2018<ref>{{cite web| date=August 2018| title=An exploration into diets around the world| url=
https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2018-09/an_exploration_into_diets_around_the_world.pdf| publisher=[[Ipsos Mori]]}}</ref>
}}

'''Animal welfare and rights in [[India]]''' regards the treatment of and laws concerning non-human animals in [[India]]. It is different from animal protection in India.

India is home to several religious traditions<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Madan |first=T. N. |date=1989 |title=Religion in India |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20025267 |journal=Daedalus |volume=118 |issue=4 |pages=114–146 |issn=0011-5266}}</ref> advocating non-violence and compassion towards animals, and has passed a number of [[animal welfare]] reforms since 1960. India is also one of the world's leading producers of animal products.

== History ==
=== Ancient India ===
The [[Vedas]], the first scriptures of [[Hinduism]] (originating in the second millennium BCE), teach ''[[ahimsa]]'' or nonviolence towards all living beings.  In Hinduism, killing an animal is regarded as a violation of ''ahimsa'' and causes bad ''[[karma]]'', leading many Hindus to practice [[vegetarianism]].  Hindu teachings do not require vegetarianism, however, and allow [[Animal sacrifice in Hinduism|animal sacrifice in rare religious ceremonies]].<ref name="szucs">{{cite journal |author=E. Szűcs |author2=R. Geers |author3=E. N. Sossidou |author4=D. M. Broom |title=Animal Welfare in Different Human Cultures, Traditions and Religious Faiths |journal= Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences|date=November 2012 |volume=25 |issue=11 |pmc=4093044 |pmid=25049508 |doi=10.5713/ajas.2012.r.02 |pages=1499–506}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-10-30 |title=Why animal sacrifice |url=https://assamtimes.org/node/560 |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Assam Times |language=en}}</ref>

[[Jainism]] was founded in India in the 7th-5th century BCE,<ref name="strohl">{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/Jainism |author=G. Ralph Strohl |title=Jainism |date=February 21, 2016 |access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref> and ''ahimsa'' is its central teaching.  Due to their belief in the sanctity of all life, Jains practice strict vegetarianism and many go to great lengths even to avoid harming insects.

[[Buddhism]] is the third major religion to emerge in India, and its teachings also include ''ahimsa''.  Buddhism teaches vegetarianism (though not as strictly as Jainism), and many Buddhists practice [[life release]] in which animals destined for slaughter are purchased and released to the wild.<ref name="szucs" /><ref name="lin">{{cite web |url=http://www.abuddhistlibrary.com/Buddhism/A%20-%20Tibetan%20Buddhism/Authors/Yutang%20Lin/Releasing%20Lives%20to%20Freedom/The%20Buddhist%20Practice%20of%20Releasing%20Lives%20to%20Freedom.htm |author=Yutang Lin |title=The Buddhist Practice of Releasing Lives to Freedom |access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref> Despite the influence of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, meat-eating was still common in ancient India.<ref name="vegindia">{{cite web |url=https://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Cuisine/vegetar.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805150646/http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Cuisine/vegetar.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=Vegetarianism in India |access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref>

In 262 BCE, the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] king [[Ashoka]] converted to Buddhism.  For the remainder of his reign, he issued edicts informed by the Buddhist teachings of compassion for all beings.  These edicts included the provision of medical treatment for animals and bans on [[animal sacrifice]], the [[castration]] of roosters, and hunting of many species.<ref name="dhammika">{{cite web |url=http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/edicts-asoka6.pdf |author=Ven. S. Dhammika |title=The Edicts of King Asok |date=1994 |access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref>

=== British India ===
[[File:Colesworthey_piller.jpg|thumb|upright|Colesworthey piller]]
Animal experimentation began in India in the 1860s when Britain began introducing new drugs to the colony. Moved by the suffering of Indian strays and draught animals, [[Colesworthey Grant]] founded the first Indian [[Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] (SPCA) in 1861 in [[Calcutta]]. The Indian SPCA's successfully lobbied for anti-cruelty legislation in the 1860s, which was extended to all of India in 1890–91. An obelisk was established in memory of the Colesworthey just in front of the [[Writers' Building]].

While the anti-vivisection movement grew in Britain, it failed to take hold in India. British officials and (British-led) SPCAs both opposed the introduction of the British [[Cruelty to Animals Act 1876]] – which established regulations on animal experimentation – to the Indian colony.

The [[cow protection movement]] arose in the late 1800s in northern India. While the SPCAs were led by colonists and associated with Christianity, cow protection was a movement of native Hindus.  Cow protectionists opposed the slaughter of cattle and provided sanctuaries for cows.  However, cow protection was largely an expression of Hindu nationalism rather than part of a larger native Indian animal welfare movement.  Cow protectionists did not, in general, oppose (and often supported) animal experimentation, and the antivivisectionist groups established in India in the late 1890s died out due to lack of interest.  The Indian branches of the  [[Humanitarian League]], an English organization which opposed vivisection and the mistreatment and killing of animals, focused on vegetarianism and cow protection while ignoring vivisection.<ref name="chakrabarti">{{cite journal |pmc=2997667 |author=Pratik Chakrabarti |title=Beasts of Burden: Animals and Laboratory Research in Colonial India |journal=History of Science |volume=48 |issue=2 |date=June 1, 2010 |pmid=20582325 |pages=125–152 |doi=10.1177/007327531004800201|bibcode=2010HisSc..48..125C }}</ref>

[[Mahatma Gandhi]] was a vegetarian and advocate of vegetarianism. In 1931 Gandhi gave a talk to the [[Vegetarian Society|London Vegetarian Society]] entitled ''The Moral Basis of Vegetarianism'' in which he argued for abstinence from meat and dairy on ethical (rather than health-related) grounds.<ref name="davis">{{cite web |url=http://www.vegsource.com/john-davis/gandhi---and-the-launching-of-veganism.html |author=John Davis |title=Gandhi – and the Launching of Veganism |date=March 16, 2011 |access-date=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

=== Post-independence India ===
India's first national animal welfare law, the [[Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act]] (1960), criminalizes cruelty to animals, though exceptions are made for the treatment of animals used for food and scientific experiments. The 1960 law also created the [[Animal Welfare Board of India]] to ensure the anti-cruelty provisions were enforced and promote the cause of animal welfare.<ref name="prevcruelty">{{cite web |url=http://bamu.ac.in/dept/zoology/1.%20Prevention%20of%20cruelty%20to%20animals%20act.%201960.pdf |title=The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, as amended by Central Act 26 of 1982 |author=Parliament of India |date=1982 |access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref>

Subsequent laws have placed regulations and restrictions on the use of draught animals, the use of performing animals, animal transport, animal slaughter, and animal experimentation.<ref name="pfa">{{cite web |url=http://www.peopleforanimalsindia.org/animal-protection-laws-in-india.php |title=Central Laws |access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref>

The Breeding of and Experiments on Animals (Control and Supervision) Rules, 1998 sets general requirements for breeding and using animals for research.  A 2006 amendment specifies that experimenters must first try to use animals "lowest on the phylogenetic scale", use the minimum number of animals for 95% statistical confidence, and justify not using non-animal alternatives.  A 2013 amendment bans the use of live animal experiments in medical education.<ref name="alttox">{{cite web |url=http://alttox.org/mapp/regulatory-policy/india-programs-policies/india-legislation-animal-welfare-oversight/ |title=India Legislation & Animal Welfare Oversight |date=January 25, 2016 |access-date=April 26, 2016}}</ref>  In 2014 India became the first country in Asia to ban all testing of cosmetics on animals and the import of cosmetics tested on animals.<ref name="cronin">{{cite web |url=https://www.thedodo.com/india-bans-cosmetic-testing-764115558.html |author=Melissa Cronin |title=This is the First Country in the World to Ban all Cosmetics Tested on Animals |date=October 14, 2014 |access-date=April 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924060722/https://www.thedodo.com/india-bans-cosmetic-testing-764115558.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2013 India made it illegal to use captive dolphins for public entertainment.<ref name="findia">{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/india-more-progressive-than-us-on-animal-welfare-policies-976907.html |title=India more progressive than US on animal welfare policies |date=July 22, 2013 |access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref>

India has a grade of C out of possible grades A, B, C, D, E, F, G on [[World Animal Protection|World Animal Protection's]] Animal Protection Index.<ref name="wap">{{cite web |url=http://api.worldanimalprotection.org/sites/default/files/api_india_report_0.pdf |title=Republic of India |access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref>

There are a number of [[List of animal welfare organizations#India|animal welfare organizations]] operating in India.

== Animals used for food ==
=== Legislation ===
The 1960 [[Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act]] is the legal basis of animal protection in India. Provision 11 states that it is illegal for 'any person... [to treat] 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', and that such mistreatment is punishable with fines or prison sentences.<ref name="1960 Act">{{Cite web|title=THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT, 1960. As amended by Central Act 26 of 1982.|access-date=14 February 2017|url=http://www.moef.nic.in/sites/default/files/No.59.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401222504/http://www.moef.nic.in/sites/default/files/No.59.pdf}}</ref> However, Kyodo News has reported that the maximum punishments are either a fine of 70 US cents, 3 months imprisonment or both, which is not enough to discourage animal cruelty.<ref name="scmp.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/1976563/cruelty-against-stray-animals-rise-india-amid-lack-effective|title=Cruelty against stray animals on the rise in India amid lack of effective laws|date=2016-06-17|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=2020-03-22}}</ref> The law also states that the punishments do not apply 'to the preparation for destruction of any animal as food for mankind unless such destruction or preparation was accompanied by the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering'.<ref name="1960 Act"/> Moreover, provision 28 states 'Nothing contained in this Act shall render it an offence to kill any animal in a manner required by the religion of any community.'<ref name="1960 Act"/> theoretically leaving open the option of [[stunning|unstunned]] [[ritual slaughter]]. On the other hand, stunning is required for animal slaughterhouses according to provision 6 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, and provision 3 states that slaughter is only permitted in recognised or licensed slaughterhouses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/ind40037.pdf|title=Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001|publisher=Government of India|date=26 March 2001|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011 provides more precise stipulations surrounding the welfare of animals during the slaughter process, including that 'Animals are slaughtered by being first stunned and then exsanguinated (bled out). (...) Stunning before slaughter should be mandatory.'<ref name="FSSAI2011">{{Cite web |url=https://archive.fssai.gov.in/dam/jcr:b37feea8-d1d6-4a12-800a-e9290ea72e1d/Licensing_Regulations.pdf |title=Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011 |author=Food Safety and Standards Authority of India |work=[[The Gazette of India]] |publisher=[[Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]] |date=1 August 2011 |access-date=28 February 2020|author-link=Food Safety and Standards Authority of India }} (pdf)</ref> It further stipulates which three methods are legal ([[Inert gas asphyxiation#Animal slaughter|{{CO2}} asphyxiation]], mechanical concussion (gunshot or [[captive bolt pistol]]), and [[electronarcosis]]), the conditions in which these should be performed (such as separate spaces out of sight of other animals, with the proper equipment and the requirement that 'all operators involved are well trained and have a positive attitude towards the welfare of animals'), and explains why these are conducive to animal welfare.<ref name="FSSAI2011"/> The regulation does not mention any exceptions or exemptions for religious or ritual slaughter.<ref name="FSSAI2011"/>

In India, it is legal to confine calves in [[Veal|veal crates]], pigs in [[gestation crate]]s, hens in [[battery cage]]s, and to remove farm animals' body parts without anesthesia.<ref name="wap"/>

=== Practice ===
According to ''[[The Times of India]]'' in 2012, most abbatoirs in India employed [[electronarcosis]] at 70 [[volt]]s to render animals unconscious before slaughter.<ref name="Sinha">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Science-of-meat/articleshow/11672654.cms |title=Science of meat |author=Kounteya Sinha, Amit Bhattacharya and Anuradha Varma |work=The Times of India |date=27 March 2012 |access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref> For unstunned [[ritual slaughter]], scientific, religious and popular opinion remains divided on the question whether the [[dhabihah]] method (generally preferred by Muslims) or the [[jhatka]] method (generally Animal sacrifice preferred by Hindus and Sikhs) leads to less pain and stress and a quicker death for the animal in question.<ref name="Sinha"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pragyata.com/mag/halal-versus-jhatka-a-scientific-review-666 |title=Halal versus Jhatka: A scientific review |author=Souvik Dey |work=Pragyata |date=12 January 2019 |access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref> Indian Muslim scholars also disagree whether meat from animals that are stunned prior to ritual slaughter is to be considered [[halal]], with some saying it is, and others saying it is not.<ref name="Sinha"/>

A major problem in India is that there is an insufficient number of legal slaughterhouses to meet consumer demand, and the federal and state governments sometimes appear unable to provide or stimulate the establishment of abbatoirs that are in compliance with the law, and unable to shut down the illegal abbatoirs. For example, as of February 2020, the state of [[Uttarakhand]] (10 million inhabitants) had no legal slaughterhouses at all.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/uttarakhand-pil-seeks-ban-on-entry-of-animals-for-slaughter/articleshow/74300063.cms |title=Uttarakhand: PIL seeks ban on entry of animals for slaughter |author=Prashant Jha |work=The Times of India |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref> Animal Equality studied 5 chicken farms and 3 markets all in [[Maharashtra]], [[Delhi]], and [[Haryana]] on 2017 and reported that stunning to render the birds unconscious was not practised in any of the locations. The chickens would be thrown into drain bins after having their throat slit, where they would reportedly take several minutes to die.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/chicken-on-your-plate-led-short-but-a-life-full-of-brutalities/story-Q8xjqNBcTzbItf08X2SMzI.html|title=Chicken on your plate led short, but a life full of brutalities|date=2017-09-14|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-03-22}}</ref>

Although dog meat is outlawed in India, the trade is still carried out in some [[Northeast India|Northeastern states]], particularly [[Mizoram]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/20/stories/2004122003042000.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930235315/http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/20/stories/2004122003042000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2007|title=Dog meat, a delicacy in Mizoram|date=20 December 2004|access-date=13 December 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> [[Nagaland]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.demotix.com/news/302632/tribal-naga-dog-meat-delicacy|title=Tribal Naga Dog meat delicacy|access-date=29 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106181038/http://www.demotix.com/news/302632/tribal-naga-dog-meat-delicacy|archive-date=6 January 2012}}</ref> and [[Manipur]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-19/travel/29716885_1_loktak-lake-keibul-lamjao-national-park-moreh|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103194708/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-19/travel/29716885_1_loktak-lake-keibul-lamjao-national-park-moreh|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013|title=Manipur – a slice of Switzerland in India|date=19 July 2012|access-date=25 August 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> as the meat is considered by some to have high nutritional and medicinal value.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kohima/Nagaland-in-process-of-banning-dog-meat/articleshow/53148055.cms|title=Nagaland in process of banning dog meat|date=July 11, 2016|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-03-22}}</ref> Indian animal activists and others have launched a campaign to end the trade in [[Nagaland]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iias.asia/the-newsletter/article/heart-plate-debates-about-dog-meat-dimapur|title=From the heart to the plate. Debates about dog meat in Dimapur|website=www.iias.asia|language=en|access-date=2020-03-22}}</ref> which sees more than 30,000 stray and stolen dogs reportedly beaten to death with clubs each year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hsi.org/news-media/nagaland-india-dog-meat-trade/|title=India's brutal dog meat trade exposed as Humane Society International launches campaign to end "Nagaland Nightmare"|date=2016-07-13|website=Humane Society International|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-22}}</ref>

=== Cattle ===
{{See also|Cattle slaughter in India|Cow protection movement|Cow vigilante violence in India}}
[[File:Status of cow slaughter in India.png|thumb|upright=1.25|Indian state laws on cattle slaughter]]
The focus of animal welfare and rights debates in India has been on the treatment of [[cattle]], since cows, unlike other animals, are considered to have a certain [[Cattle in religion and mythology|sacred status]] according to the majority of millions of Hindus (79.8%), Sikhs (1.7%), Buddhists (0.7%) and Jains (0.4%) living in India.<ref>{{cite book|author=Lisa Kemmerer|title=Animals and World Religions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fidwAgAAQBAJ|year= 2011|publisher= Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-979076-0|pages=58–65, 100–101, 110}}<br />—{{cite book|author= Clive Phillips|title=The Welfare of Animals: The Silent Majority |url =https://books.google.com/books?id=eq28F0MMrhIC |year= 2008|publisher= Springer |isbn=978-1-4020-9219-0|pages=98–103}}<br />—{{cite book|author1= Robert J. Muckle|author2=Laura Tubelle de González|title= Through the Lens of Anthropology: An Introduction to Human Evolution and Culture |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=3FUACwAAQBAJ |year= 2015|publisher= University of Toronto Press|isbn=978-1-4426-0863-4|pages=299–300}}<br />—{{cite journal | last1=Eliasi | first1=Jennifer R. | last2=Dwyer | first2=Johanna T. | title=Kosher and Halal | journal=Journal of the American Dietetic Association | publisher=Elsevier BV | volume=102 | issue=7 | year=2002 | doi=10.1016/s0002-8223(02)90203-8 | pages=911–913| pmid=12146548 }}<br />—{{cite book|author=Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair|title=Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vdhLAQAAQBAJ |year= 2013|publisher= Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-1-4411-0231-7|pages=171–172}}</ref> However, cattle are generally not considered to be 'sacred' by others, such as followers of Abrahamic religions including Muslims (14.2%) and Christians (2.3%), as well as non-religious people (0.3%). Moreover, there is widespread disagreement among followers of Indian religions themselves on the level of protection and care that should be afforded to cows. In the post-independence era, a legal situation has evolved in which a number of states, mostly bordering on or relatively close to [[Pakistan]], have completely banned all slaughter of cows, bullocks and bulls, while most in north, central and south India have only prohibited slaughtering bullocks and bulls, and finally some states far away from Pakistan (Kerala, West Bengal and the Northeast Indian states) have not enacted such restrictions on the slaughter of these animals at all.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/graphic-mapping-cow-slaughter-in-indian-states/story-k4WOaEl9GCDNjsAjbQFVtO.html |title=Graphic: Mapping cow slaughter in Indian states |work=Hindustan Times |date=7 October 2015 |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref> As far back as the 19th century, the legal prohibition of cattle slaughter has been part of Hindu nationalist agendas, and cow protection has been used as a means to distinguish Muslim and Hindu behaviour and identities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://scroll.in/article/711064/maharashtras-beef-ban-shows-how-politicians-manipulate-hindu-sentiments-around-cow-slaughter |title=Maharashtra's beef ban shows how politicians manipulate Hindu sentiments around cow slaughter |author=Shoaib Daniyal |work=Scroll.in |date=3 March 2015 |access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>

=== Sale and consumption ===
{{see also|Vegetarianism and religion|Diet in Hinduism|Buddhist vegetarianism}}
Despite restrictions on killing and eating cows throughout most of the country, India became the world's largest exporter of beef in 2012.<ref name="devi" /> According to a 2012 FAO report, India also had the world's largest population of dairy cows (43.6 million) and was the second-largest producer of milk (50.3 million tons per year).<ref name="dairy">{{cite web |url=https://www.ciwf.org.uk/media/5235182/Statistics-Dairy-cows.pdf |title=Statistics: Dairy cows |access-date=April 25, 2016}}</ref> In 2011, India was the third largest producer of eggs (behind China and the United States) and the sixth largest producer of chicken meat.<ref name="eggpoultry" /> India is the second largest fish producer in the world after China, and the industry has substantial room for growth.<ref name="fish">{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/-marine-and-fish-industry-to-reach-rs-68k-crore-by-2015-assocham/articleshow/10841151.cms |title=Marine and fish industry to reach Rs 68K crore by 2015: Assocham |date=November 23, 2011 |access-date=April 25, 2016|newspaper=The Economic Times }}</ref>

A 2007 report by the [[Food and Agriculture Organization|Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)]] of the [[United Nations]] found that Indians had the lowest rate of meat consumption of any country. Roughly one-third of Indians are vegetarian (the largest percentage of vegetarians in the world),<ref name="devi">{{cite journal |pmc=4662155 |title=An Outline of Meat Consumption in the Indian Population - a Pilot Review |author=Subramaniam Mohana Devi |author2=Vellingiri Balachandar |author3=Sang In Lee |author4=In Ho Kim |pmid=26761289 |doi=10.5851/kosfa.2014.34.4.507 |volume=34 |year=2014 |journal=Korean J Food Sci Anim Resour |issue=4 |pages=507–15}}</ref> but few are [[Veganism|vegan]].<ref name="flock">{{cite web |url=http://forbesindia.com/article/recliner/being-vegan-in-india/4482/1 |author=Elizabeth Flock |title=Being Vegan in India |date=September 26, 2009 |access-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-date=4 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504065449/http://forbesindia.com/article/recliner/being-vegan-in-india/4482/1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  Despite having the highest rate of vegetarianism in the world, Indian consumption of dairy, eggs, and meat - especially [[chicken]] - was increasing rapidly as of 2013.<ref name="devi" /><ref name="growing">{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/india-changing-appetites-include-meat-article-1.1255861 |title=India's growing appetite for meat challenges traditional values |website=[[New York Daily News]] |date=February 5, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2016}}</ref><ref name="eggpoultry">{{cite web |url=http://www.thepoultrysite.com/reports/?id=3135 |title=USDA International Egg and Poultry: Poultry in India |date=December 1, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822072937/http://www.thepoultrysite.com/reports/?id=3135 |archive-date=22 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Animals used for clothing ==
=== Fur ===
In 2012, Indian consumers purchased approximately Rs8.6 billion (approximately 129 million U.S. dollars) worth of fur products; this figure is projected to grow to Rs13 billion (approximately 195 million U.S. dollars) by 2018.  Most of these products are supplied by domestic producers.<ref name="fur">{{cite web |url=http://www.euromonitor.com/fur-and-fur-articles-in-india-isic-182/report |title=Fur and Fur Articles in India |date=October 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2016}}</ref>  Due to growing concern for animal welfare, in 2017 India banned the importation of certain animal furs and skins, including chinchilla, mink, fox, and reptiles.<ref name="fur ban">{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-bans-import-of-fox-fur-crocodile-skin/articleshow/56365052.cms |title=Govt bans import of fox fur, crocodile skin |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref>

=== Leather ===
Although cattle slaughter is illegal in all but two Indian states, poor enforcement of cattle protection laws has allowed a thriving leather industry.<ref name="ambika">{{cite web |url=http://newint.org/columns/currents/2010/07/01/india-leather-cows/ |author=Ambika Hiranandani |author2=Roland M. McCall |author3=Salman Shaheen |title=How India's holy cash cow |date=July 1, 2010 |access-date=April 26, 2016}}</ref>  A 2014 report on the Indian leather industry states that India is the ninth largest exporter of leather and leather products, and the second largest producer of footwear and leather garments, with significant room for growth. The Indian government supports the industry by allowing 100% [[foreign direct investment]] and duty-free imports, funding manufacturing units, and implementing industrial development programs.<ref name="onicra">{{cite web |url=http://www.onicra.com/images/pdf/Publications/Leather-industry-report-Transparent.pdf |title=Emerging Trends: Indian Leather Industry |date=April 2014 |author=ONICRA Credit Rating Agency of India |access-date=April 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109045547/http://www.onicra.com/images/pdf/Publications/Leather-industry-report-Transparent.pdf |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Animals used in scientific research and cosmetics tests ==
India's 1960 anti-cruelty law created the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) to regulate animal experimentation.  A 2003 report by [[Animal Defenders International]] and the [[National Anti-Vivisection Society|U.K. National Anti-Vivisection Society]] based on evidence gathered by the CPCSEA during inspections of 467 Indian laboratories finds "a deplorable standard of animal care in the majority of facilities inspected".  The report lists many instances of abuse, neglect, and failure to use available non-animal methods.<ref name="navs">{{cite web |url=http://www.navs.org.uk/downloads/animalexperimentsinindia.pdf |author=Animal Defenders International |author2=National Anti-Vivisection Society |title=Animal Experimentation in India |date=2003 |access-date=April 26, 2016}}</ref>

== Animals used in religion and entertainment ==
The Islamic festival of Eid Al Adha marks a global slaughter of animals every year. In recent times PETA has made appeals to muslims to do away with animal slaughter, however Islamist clerics in India have insisted that there is no alternative to animal slaughter and that it must take place.<ref>{{Cite web |title='No substitute for Qurbani': Darul Uloom Deoband insists on animal sacrifice on Bakrid |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jul/28/no-substitute-for-qurbani-darul-uloom-deoband-insists-on-animal-sacrifice-on-bakrid-2175966.html |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-01 |title=PETA Wants to Stop the Sacrifice of Goats Ahead of Bakra Eid 2020 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/peta-wants-to-stop-the-sacrifice-of-goats-ahead-of-bakra-eid-2020-2695893.html |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> In 2014, the Supreme Court of India banned the traditional bullfighting sport [[Jallikattu]], which was mainly practiced in the state of Tamil Nadu. This led to widespread controversy, and the [[2017 pro-jallikattu protests]]. Under this pressure, the government of Tamil Nadu adopted a law that reintroduced the sport on state level, likely leading to a renewed ban by the Supreme Court.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/jallikattu-row-matter-could-still-go-to-supreme-court-and-we-could-get-adverse-decision-says-salman-khurshid/516973/|title=Jallikattu Row: Matter could still go to Supreme Court and we could get adverse decision, says Salman&nbsp;Khurshid|date=21 January 2017|newspaper=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> The sport remains a controversial issue.

== Strays ==
===Dogs===
{{see also|Stray dog attacks in India}}
With 30 million [[Indian pariah dog|stray dogs in India]] estimated in 2015, conflicts have arisen in regions such as [[Bengaluru]] and [[Kerala]] on dealing with dog bites and the threat of rabies. Incidents of stray dogs chasing, attacking and biting school children, aged persons, pedestrians, morning walkers, or two-wheeler riders have led to panic and violent action from a handful of locals.<ref name="scmp.com"/> 

Naresh Kadyan, Master Trainer of the [[Animal Welfare Board of India]] said in 2017 that cases of dogs being bludgeoned with iron bars or burnt alive had taken place almost every month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/india/657087/indians-can-be-both-unbearably-cruel-and-incredibly-kind-towards-stray-dogs/|title=Indians can be both unbearably cruel and incredibly kind towards stray dogs|last=Pullanoor|first=Harish|website=Quartz India|language=en|access-date=2020-03-22}}</ref>

It is noted that many of the attacks by dogs was caused by cruelty towards them both by adults and children. But once a bite happens it is rarely investigated why it happened and mostly the animal is held responsible and sometimes brutally killed by people or local authorities. 

In Karnataka and Kerala both in 2019 and 2025 brutal mass killings of hundreds of dogs was witnessed. Many dogs were hanged from trees or bludgeoned to death by local people. The dead bodies were mass dumped in the open.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Woman, son booked for killing dog by hanging it from tree in Pune district|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/woman-son-booked-for-killing-dog-by-hanging-it-from-tree-in-pune-district/article68797082.ece|work=The Hindu|date=2024-10-25|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0971-751X|language=en-IN|last=PTI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Dead stray dog found tied to billboard on plot near Adalaj|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/dead-stray-dog-found-tied-to-billboard-on-plot-near-adalaj/amp_articleshow/126339575.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

In the state of Telangana in the year 2025 and 2026 over 2000 in total stray dogs were brutally murdered illegally.<ref>{{Cite news|title=550 stray dogs killed in Telangana in one week to fulfill ‘poll promise’; man involved in killing 250 dogs traced to AP|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/around-500-stray-dogs-killed-in-telangana-villages-in-one-week-to-fulfill-panchayat-poll-promise/article70508405.ece|work=The Hindu|date=2026-01-14|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0971-751X|language=en-IN|first=Lavpreet|last=Kaur}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1,000 stray dogs killed in Telangana in 30 days: Mass killings of canines continue as 200 more poisoned to death. What's behind the brutal cull? - The Economic Times|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/new-updates/1000-stray-dogs-killed-in-telangana-in-30-days-mass-killings-of-canines-continue-as-200-more-poisoned-to-death-ahead-of-gram-panchayat-elections-whats-behind-the-brutal-cull/amp_articleshow/127607325.cms|website=m.economictimes.com|access-date=2026-01-30}}</ref>

In the same state around 200 monkeys were poisoned by local authorities illegally in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|title=15 monkeys killed, 80 seriously injured after suspected poisoning in Telangana|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/telangana/story/monkey-poisoning-antampalli-village-15-dead-80-injured-kamareddy-district-2856045-2026-01-22|website=India Today|date=2026-01-22|access-date=2026-01-30|language=en|first=Abdul|last=Basheer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=100 monkeys tranquillised and dumped along NH-44 in Telangana; 4 dead, 2 critical|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/100-monkeys-tranquillised-dumped-along-nh-44-4-dead/amp_articleshow/127186623.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

In 2026 a dog was chased on bikes by a person and burnt alive with petrol. The same person has allegedly manhandled and assaulted local animal welfare NGO workers with iron rods.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hyderabad horror: Dog branded ‘rabid’, tortured for days and burnt alive; case registered|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/dog-tortured-set-ablaze-at-dundigal/amp_articleshow/127568437.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

In December 2025 a litter of newborn puppies were burnt alive with petrol by locals (possibly including a minor) because they were irritated by their whimpering during the cold winter surge. There were protests against this inhumane act but culprits were not identified.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Minor among puppy killers, suspect cops|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/minor-among-puppy-killers-suspect-cops/amp_articleshow/126218423.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

Due to the [[Indian vulture crisis|collapse of vulture populations in India]], which formerly consumed large quantities of dead animal carcasses, the urban [[street dog#India|street dog]] population has increased and become a problem, especially in urban areas.

There is a conflict of interest as there are many institutions and localities throughout the country where the stray dogs have been vaccinated and sterilised by local people and NGOs and often municipalities in accordance to Animal Birth Control act 2001. In these areas there are local people who care for, medicate and bond with these ‘community animals’.<ref>{{Cite news|title=297 Dehradun societies recognised for stray dog care|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/297-dehradun-societies-recognised-for-stray-dog-care/amp_articleshow/125964201.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

It is of note that Netherlands and Bhutan have achieved respectively almost nil stray dogs population and hundred percent sterilised and vaccinated dog population by following this same programme which has largely failed in India due to mismanagement and misuse of funds granted for the programme.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ABC of Animal Birth Control: Why Delhi’s stray dog sterilisation programme isn’t working as it should|url=https://theprint.in/india/delhi-stray-dogs-abc-rules-centres-sterilisation-rabies-control/2722702/?amp|website=theprint.in|access-date=2026-01-30|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250820053157/https://theprint.in/india/delhi-stray-dogs-abc-rules-centres-sterilisation-rabies-control/2722702/?amp|archive-date=2025-08-20|language=en-US|first=Mrinalini|last=Dhyani}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=SC stray dog order: How Bhutan achieved 100% sterilisation, Netherlands formed a pet police force|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/pet-police-force-and-sterilisation-how-bhutan-netherlands-resolve-the-stray-dog-issue-10183757/|website=The Indian Express|date=2025-08-12|access-date=2026-01-30|language=en}}</ref>

Animal cruelty is unconstitutional in India yet there is very low implementation of the existing laws paving way for cruelty to animals as there is no fear of repercussion among people including minors and children. Heinous killings of stray animals are reported every month. Many cases have been reported where a group of minors or children have caught dogs to torture and have beaten them to death for fun.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Dog Cruelty Case: Man Arrested, Minors Detained in Ranchi for Brutal Killing|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/dog-cruelty-case-man-arrested-minors-detained-in-ranchi-for-brutal-killing/amp_articleshow/126846786.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

===Cattle===
{{Main|Stray cattle in India}}

India has over 5 million stray cattle according to the livestock census data released in January 2020.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=D K|first=Sadana|date=5 April 2021|title='India needs to look beyond gaushalas to address its stray cattle problem'|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/-india-needs-to-look-beyond-gaushalas-to-address-its-stray-cattle-problem--76189|access-date=2021-12-25|website=DownToEarth|language=en}}</ref> While stray cattle are a nuisance to traffic in urban areas,<ref name=":0"/> the problem of [[Solid waste pollution in India|solid waste pollution]], especially [[plastic pollution]] and garbage dumped at public places, poses risk to stray cattle which feed on garbage.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2021|title=71 Kg Of Waste Found In Stomach Of Stray Faridabad Cow|url=https://www.ndtv.com/cities/haryana-71kg-of-waste-found-in-stomach-of-stray-faridabad-cow-2383586|access-date=2021-12-25|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

The deadly attacks by the stray cow on humans and crops in both the urban and rural areas is an issue for the residents.<ref>{{cite news |title=Uttar Pradesh: Why deadly cow attacks are an issue in Indian state election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60108274 |access-date=23 February 2022 |work=BBC News |date=25 January 2022}}</ref> In 2017, after coming to power, Yogi [[First Yogi Adityanath ministry|Adityanath government]] had promised to build cattle shelters to better manage the stray cattle.<ref name="IT 11 Jan">{{cite news |last1=Sultanpur/Gorakhpur/Siddharthnagar |first1=Ashutosh Mishra |title=Stray animals destroy crops in UP districts as goshalas remain non-starters |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/stray-animals-crops-up-districts-goshalas-non-starters-1898440-2022-01-11 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=India Today |date=11 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Since BJP came to power in 2017, [[Cattle slaughter in India|Cow slaughter]] has been made illegal in 18 states in India including UP, this was done in accordance with the right wing Hindu agenda.<ref name="Deadly cow">{{cite news |title=Uttar Pradesh: Why deadly cow attacks are an issue in Indian state election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60108274 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=BBC News |date=25 January 2022}}</ref> Since then the trading of male cattle has reduced due to the fear of arrest, persecution, lynching by [[Cow vigilante violence in India|cow vigilantes]]. The farmers unable to sell them, abandon them to wander on the roads and feed on standing crops.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stray cows become election issue in Uttar Pradesh |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/video/election/uttar-pradesh/stray-cows-become-election-issue-in-uttar-pradesh-1083050.html |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=Deccan Herald |date=19 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="NDTV UP Issues">{{cite news |title=Rural UP's Biggest Election Issue - The Mighty Bull |url=https://www.ndtv.com/blog/rural-ups-biggest-election-issue-the-mighty-bull-2777077 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=NDTV.com |date=19 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stray cattle poll issue again but no one knows if it will affect the UP outcome |url=https://www.news9live.com/india/stray-cattle-poll-issue-again-but-no-one-knows-if-it-will-affect-the-up-outcome-152471 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=NEWS9LIVE |date=9 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Timeline of animal welfare and rights]]
* [[List of animal rights advocates]]

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Animal welfare by country}}
{{Animal rights|state=expanded}}

[[Category:Animal welfare and rights in India| ]]