Rakesh Kumar Sharma
rakesh.kartik3742@gmail.com
International Animal Rights Day is observed globally on 10 December each year to promote awareness about the rights and welfare of animals. Celebrated in parallel with International Human Rights Day, the occasion underlines an important truth: animals, both domestic and wild are conscious beings capable of feeling pain, fear, and affection, and therefore deserve compassion, dignity, and protection.
The day serves as a reminder to individuals, communities, and governments to address persistent issues such as animal cruelty, neglect, and exploitation, and to strengthen efforts aimed at ensuring humane and ethical treatment of all living creatures. It is also an occasion to honour animal rights activists and organisations working tirelessly for animal welfare across the world.

International Animal Rights Day

Legal Safeguards for Animal Welfare in India
In India, the rights and welfare of animals are protected under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 . In addition, Article 51A(g) of the Constitution of India places a fundamental duty on every citizen to show compassion for all living creatures, including animals.
These legal and constitutional provisions reflect India’s commitment to fostering kindness, responsibility, and ethical conduct toward animals, reinforcing that animal welfare is not only a moral obligation but also a constitutional mandate.
Awareness: The Need of the Hour
International Animal Rights Day provides an opportunity for animal lovers and responsible citizens to create awareness among family members, friends, relatives, and the wider community about the importance of animal rights. The day reinforces the message that animals, like humans, deserve respect, care, protection, and fair treatment.
Parents, teachers, grandparents, and other role models who influence young minds can use this occasion to instil values of empathy, responsibility, and kindness. Educating children to respect animals contributes to building a more humane, compassionate, and balanced society.
A Lesson to Learn: Compassion Beyond Words
In a heart-warming example of animal loyalty, on 1 December 2025, a newborn baby boy abandoned near a house toilet in Nabadwip, West Bengal, survived a cold winter night because a group of stray dogs formed a protective circle around him.
The stray dogs, often driven away by people, guarded the crying infant throughout the night, preventing harm from other animals without showing any aggression. At dawn, a woman discovered the baby and alerted the residents. The child was immediately rushed to a hospital and received medical care. Ultimately, a human life was saved by stray dogs; animals we frequently ignore or mistreat. They demonstrated love, loyalty, and compassion, teaching us a lesson that many humans hesitate to practise.
Poor Implementation of Rules and Court Directions
The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, while dealing with issues related to the management of stray dogs, has issued clear directions concerning animal welfare. The Court has emphasised the creation of shelter homes exclusively for aggressive dogs and has categorically directed that stray dogs shall not be relocated from their natural habitats. It has further directed that, after proper vaccination and sterilisation, dogs must be released back at their place of origin, and that designated feeding points be established to ensure humane management while maintaining public safety.
The Government must ensure that only genuinely aggressive dogs are shifted to shelter homes, while proper and clearly earmarked feeding points are identified and maintained. The administration should also ensure that animal lovers and volunteers are not harassed for showing compassion and humaneness while caring for these animals. Further, the Government should constitute monitoring committees to regularly oversee the welfare and living conditions of animals housed in shelter homes, ensuring strict compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and existing animal welfare laws.
Jammu Scenario: A Matter of Serious Concern
It has been observed that recently, the Municipal authorities in Jammu displaced several stray dogs from the Indira Nagar area, Tehsil R.S. Pura, under the pretext of vaccination. While the dogs were initially picked up from this locality, a larger number of dogs were subsequently released back into the same area.
This practice resulted in conflicts and increased aggression among the animals, leading to injuries to dogs as well as bite incidents involving residents. Such actions constitute a clear violation of the basic rights provided to the animal under various provisions of law ; besides causing unnecessary distress to animals and serious safety concerns for local inhabitants.
Historical Perspective: Humans and Animals Through the Ages
Since the dawn of civilisation, humans and animals have shared a close relationship based on mutual dependence and cooperation. Animals such as cattle, horses, elephants, rabbits, and poultry have supported human survival and livelihoods for centuries. In return, these animals deserve to be treated with care, dignity, and compassion, recognising their vital role in human history and society.
The Human Touch: A Test of Our Humanity
Despite this long-standing bond, cruelty toward animals remains a harsh reality. Horses are frequently seen being used for heavy labour on roads, subjected to overloading, continuous work without rest, and merciless beating.Such acts are not only violations of animal rights but also betray our own humanity. Animals are sentient beings capable of suffering, and treating them with utmost care and sympathy is a reflection of a civilised and ethical society.A truly humane world is one where kindness and respect are extended not only to human beings, but to all forms of life.
Conclusion:
On the occasion of International Animal Rights Day, it is important to acknowledge that animals, like humans, possess the right to live with dignity, care, and compassion. This day reminds us that animals are sentient beings deserving protection and kindness. It urges governments, institutions, and organisations to strengthen animal welfare laws and ensure their effective implementation. More importantly, it calls upon each individual to adopt humane and ethical practices in daily life. By promoting empathy, responsibility, and eco-friendly living, we can create a society where humans and animals coexist peacefully and respectfully.
(The author is Air force (Veteran) and a Retired Tehsildar)

Follow our WhatsApp channel