The case was based on a formal complaint by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India). The organisation was aided by Kardak Riba, the West Siang Superintendent of Police, in getting the case filed.
The FIR was based on a viral video circulating on social media, showing at least two men torturing a white dog to death. The video shows one man holding a rope tied tightly around the dog’s neck while the other strikes the animal repeatedly with a stick.
According to the FIR, the incident happened at Darka, 6 km southeast of the police station in Aalo, West Siang district headquarters.
Police registered the FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
“Violence against an animal often leads to crimes against other animals or humans,” PETA India lead cruelty response officer Sreekutty Bennet said, thanking Mr. Riba and his Kurung Kumey district counterpart Bomken Basar for facilitating the complaint against the perpetrators of the incident.
PETA India recommended a psychiatric evaluation and counselling for the perpetrators, as “abusing animals indicates a deep psychological disturbance”.
The organisation cited a study published in Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal to support its recommendation. “Those who engage in cruelty to animals were three times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse,” the study said.