NCRB report puts J&K at top among UTs in animal cruelty cases

Srinagar, May 09: Jammu and Kashmir recorded the highest number of animal cruelty cases among all Union Territories in 2024, according to the National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India report, which has for the first time included offences registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

As per the report, 223 cases of cruelty against animals were registered in Jammu and Kashmir during the year, far higher than other Union Territories. Delhi recorded 35 such cases.

Across India, a total of 9,039 cases were registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in 2024, marking the first official nationwide compilation of offences related to animal abuse in the NCRB database.

Among states, Maharashtra reported the highest number of cases at 2,927, followed by Telangana with 1,890, Kerala with 1,510, and Uttar Pradesh with 1,121 cases.

The report said the inclusion of animal cruelty offences in the annual crime data comes after sustained demands from animal welfare organisations and activists for formal tracking and documentation of crimes against animals.

Several states and Union Territories, however, reported either negligible or zero cases under the law. Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura recorded no cases during the year. Among Union Territories, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Chandigarh also reported zero cases.