Now, special police officers to handle cases of animal cruelty in Thane

MUMBAI: In order to facilitate proper handling of animal cruelty cases, Thane police has appointed nodal officers. These officers have been tasked with the effective handling of legal aspects of cruelty cases in the right manner.


The appointment of these nodal officers follows a directive issued by Animal Welfare Board of India to the police chiefs of all states and Union territories, said Shakuntala Majumdar, president of Thane Community for Protection & Care of Animals. In Mumbai, such nodal officers have already been appointed.

“Often, people wanting to lodge criminal cases for cruelty to animals claim they are harassed at police stations and some have recounted that not all police officers are familiar with the prosecution process in such cases,” Majumdar said, adding that, at times, people who masquerade as ‘activists’ influence and pressure police officials wrongly. “So, these nodal officers appointed at police stations in Thane will be those who understand the gravity of the situation and will help ease things from the legal perspective,” she said.

“The officers should be aware of what sections to apply and what penalty to slap in offences.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police Rupali Ambure confirmed to Mirror that the crime branch of Thane city police has appointed such nodal officers who should not be below the rank of assistant commissioners, to deal with legal aspects of animal cruelty cases.

“Each police station will have such an officer to deal with cruelty cases,” said Ambure who admitted that she herself is an “animal lover”.