WATCH | Two booked for abusing Indian python at Greater Noida event following PETA India’s intervention

Greater Noida: Acting on a video depicting the abuse of an Indian Python for entertainment, a species protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India collaborated with the Gautam Buddh Nagar Forest Division for a preliminary offence report (POR) to be registered.

The python has now been rescued and safely released back into the wild.

The incident occurred during an event in ATS HomeKraft Happy Trails Society, Sector 10, Greater Noida – 201318, on October 6. During the event, the python’s head was forced between the teeth of an accused’s mouth, clamping the snake’s jaw between his teeth. The POR was registered against two individuals under Sections 9, 39, 48, 49, and 51 of the WPA, 1972.

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The offence is non-bailable and punishable with a jail term of at least three years, which may extend to seven years, and a fine of at least Rs. 25,000.

“We commend Ramesh Chandra, IFS, Conservator of Forest, Meerut Circle, and Pramod Kumar Srivastava, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Gautam Buddha Nagar Division, for registering the POR and sending a clear message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated,” says Virendra Singh, Cruelty Response Coordinator at PETA India.

“The best way to revere snakes is to leave them alone in their jungle homes. Using snakes in roadside shows is cruel, illegal, and disrespectful,” Singh said.

Snakes are trapped and taken from their natural habitats to be used for entertainment and kept as “pets,” disregarding the WPA, 1972. Their teeth are often violently yanked out, and their venom glands emptied for species that are venomous.

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In many cases, their mouths are sewn shut, leaving only a tiny gap into which liquid can be poured. Captured snakes do not live very long, and their death is slow and painful.