A Delhi Court has recently sentenced a man to one year of simple imprisonment for throwing acid on a dog in 2020, which caused the loss of the animal's eye.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Richa Sharma convicted the individual under Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, for mischief by maiming the dog, and Section 11(1) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, for treating the animal with cruelty.

Further, the Court imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 for the offence under Section 429 of the IPC. Additionally, a fine of Rs. 50 was imposed for the other offence under Section 11(1) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The court granted him bail for one month to allow him time to file an appeal against the conviction and sentence, although he had been on bail throughout the trial.

“Life is as dear to a mute creature, as it is to any human. A human being is expected to remember that his action towards animals, reflects humanity. It is our responsibility to be compassionate and kind to animals,” the court said.

The case was brought forward by the dog's owner, who testified that she witnessed the convict throwing acid on her dog’s eye, face, and other parts of its body. She also reported that while she was bathing the dog, the convict abused her and threatened to kill the animal. In convicting the man, the court noted that the prosecution had established his identity beyond reasonable doubt and demonstrated that he inflicted injury on the dog.

“Hence, in view of the cogent, specific, untainted as well as convincing testimony of the injured read conjointly with the testimony of other prosecution witnesses as well as on the basis of medical documents on record, there is no reason to disbelieve the truthfulness of the version of prosecution witnesses,” the court said. 

It added: “The act of throwing some corrosive/burning substance, which resulted in the loss of one eye of the dog is serious and grave. Letting off such person with less punishment and granting any leniency to the convict, will convey adverse message to the society.”