Is poisoning a dog a crime in India?

Yes. Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 punishes killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal with imprisonment up to five years, or a fine, or both. It is cognizable, so the police must register an FIR. Giving an animal an injurious substance is also an offence under section 11 of the PCA Act.

Can the police refuse to file an FIR for a dead dog?

For a cognizable offence such as BNS section 325, AWBI's 2025 handbook says the officer in charge must register an FIR, at any police station. If they refuse, send the information in writing to the Superintendent of Police, who must investigate or order an investigation if a cognizable offence is disclosed.

How do I prove my dog was poisoned?

Through a post-mortem by the government veterinary officer, arranged by the police, and laboratory testing. AWBI's handbooks say that in suspected poisoning the viscera are sealed by the vet and sent to a forensic laboratory. Do not bury or cremate the body before speaking to the police.

What replaced IPC sections 428 and 429?

IPC sections 428 and 429, mischief by killing or maiming an animal, were replaced by BNS section 325 when the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita came into force on 1 July 2024. An FIR for an offence after that date should cite the BNS section, not the IPC.

What should I do if my dog ate something suspicious on a walk?

Go to a vet now and call on the way. Do not make your dog vomit unless the vet tells you to, because that can cause harm. Take the packet or a photo of what was eaten. Report it to the police if you think it was put there deliberately.

Petym Answers 7 min read

Someone poisoned or hurt my dog, what can I do?

Updated October 2026By PetymFacts checked against official sources on 21 October 2026

Quick answer

Get your dog to a vet now and do not make it vomit unless the vet tells you to. Then go to the police: killing, poisoning or maiming any animal is a cognizable offence under section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, punishable with up to five years in prison, so the police must register an FIR.

If your dog has died, do not bury or cremate it yet. Ask the police to send the body to the government veterinary officer for a post-mortem; in suspected poisoning, AWBI's handbook says the viscera go to a forensic laboratory. The same law protects community dogs.

What should you do right now?

The animal first, then the evidence. Both are time-sensitive.

If Your dog is alive and may have eaten poison
Go to the nearest vet now and call ahead on the way. Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to. Take any packet, bait or food you found. RECOVER Initiative (Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 2026)study
If Your dog has been beaten, cut or otherwise injured
Get veterinary treatment first. The PCA Act requires an injured animal in a cruelty case to be treated, and the vet's notes become evidence. Animal Welfare Board of India
If Your dog has died
Do not bury or cremate it. Tell the police, who must send the body to the jurisdictional veterinary officer for a post-mortem examination. Animal Welfare Board of India
If You found suspicious food, bait or a substance
Do not touch it with bare hands. Photograph it where it lies and tell the police: AWBI's handbook says injurious substances found in a search are seized and sent to a designated laboratory. Animal Welfare Board of India

Which laws apply when someone poisons or hurts a dog?

Two laws work together. These are the provisions, read from the official text on 21 October 2026.

BNS section 325: "Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal": imprisonment up to five years, or fine, or both. It replaced IPC sections 428 and 429 on 1 July 2024, and the BNSS schedule lists it as cognizable. National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs
Animal, in the BNS: Any living creature other than a human being (section 2(2)). The PCA Act uses the same definition. Animal Welfare Board of India
PCA Act section 11(1)(c): Wilfully and unreasonably giving any animal an injurious drug or substance, or causing or attempting to cause it to be taken. Animal Welfare Board of India
PCA Act section 11(1)(a): Beating, kicking, torturing or otherwise treating any animal so as to cause it unnecessary pain or suffering. Animal Welfare Board of India
PCA Act section 11(1)(l): Mutilating or killing any animal, "including stray dogs", by strychnine injections or any other unnecessarily cruel manner. Section 31 makes this clause cognizable. Animal Welfare Board of India
BNS section 351, criminal intimidation: Threatening someone with injury to their person, reputation or property to cause alarm. A threat to harm your dog may be relevant here. National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs

How do you get the police to register an FIR?

AWBI's 2025 law enforcement handbook sets out the duties under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. These are the steps it describes.

Any police station
For a cognizable offence, the officer in charge must register an FIR under BNSS section 173(1), at any police station, wherever the offence happened. Animal Welfare Board of India
Oral, written or online
Information can be given orally and written down by the officer, or sent electronically, with your signature within three days. Animal Welfare Board of India
Your free copy
A copy of the recorded information must be given to you immediately and free of cost (section 173(2)). Animal Welfare Board of India
A possible preliminary enquiry
For offences punishable with three to seven years, the officer may, with a Deputy Superintendent's permission, hold a preliminary enquiry within 14 days (section 173(3)). Animal Welfare Board of India
If the station refuses
Send the information in writing to the Superintendent of Police, who must investigate or order an investigation if it shows a cognizable offence (section 173(4)). You can also approach the magistrate. Animal Welfare Board of India
AWBI and the SPCA
Lodge a complaint on AWBI's website as well, and contact your district SPCA, which AWBI asked every state to set up and run on 12 February 2026. Animal Welfare Board of India

What evidence helps the case?

Collect it without putting yourself at risk, and give copies to the police.

The date, time and place, and what you saw or found, written down the same day.
Photos and videos, including CCTV from your building or shops nearby. Electronic records count as documents under section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, with a certificate from the person who runs the device. Animal Welfare Board of India
Your vet's records, bills and any test results. Animal Welfare Board of India
The post-mortem report from the jurisdictional veterinary officer, which the police must add to the investigation report and the case diary. Animal Welfare Board of India
Names and phone numbers of witnesses; the police can require them to attend and record their statements. Animal Welfare Board of India
Any earlier threats, messages or complaints about your dog, with dates.

Does the law protect community dogs too?

Yes. BNS section 325 covers "any animal", and the BNS defines an animal as any living creature other than a human being. The PCA Act's clause on cruel killing names stray dogs in its own words. Poisoning a community dog is the same offence as poisoning a pet, and anyone can report it.

For a community dog, the person who feeds or looks after it is often best placed to give the information. AWBI's handbook notes that the investigating officer keeps a case diary and that the informant or victim should be told of the investigation's progress within 90 days (BNSS section 193).

Why does the PCA Act's penalty look so small?

Section 11 of the PCA Act still carries its 1982 fines: Rs 10 to Rs 50 for a first offence, and up to Rs 100 or three months in prison for a repeat within three years. That is why a poisoning or maiming case is usually registered under BNS section 325 as well, which carries up to five years. Petym's rule page on cruelty law sets out all the section 11 offences and penalties.

Keep a copy of everything you give the police, and note the FIR number. If the case stalls, a lawyer can advise on approaching the magistrate.

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Questions owners ask

Is poisoning a dog a crime in India?: Yes. Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 punishes killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal with imprisonment up to five years, or a fine, or both. It is cognizable, so the police must register an FIR. Giving an animal an injurious substance is also an offence under section 11 of the PCA Act.
Can the police refuse to file an FIR for a dead dog?: For a cognizable offence such as BNS section 325, AWBI's 2025 handbook says the officer in charge must register an FIR, at any police station. If they refuse, send the information in writing to the Superintendent of Police, who must investigate or order an investigation if a cognizable offence is disclosed.
How do I prove my dog was poisoned?: Through a post-mortem by the government veterinary officer, arranged by the police, and laboratory testing. AWBI's handbooks say that in suspected poisoning the viscera are sealed by the vet and sent to a forensic laboratory. Do not bury or cremate the body before speaking to the police.
What replaced IPC sections 428 and 429?: IPC sections 428 and 429, mischief by killing or maiming an animal, were replaced by BNS section 325 when the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita came into force on 1 July 2024. An FIR for an offence after that date should cite the BNS section, not the IPC.
What should I do if my dog ate something suspicious on a walk?: Go to a vet now and call on the way. Do not make your dog vomit unless the vet tells you to, because that can cause harm. Take the packet or a photo of what was eaten. Report it to the police if you think it was put there deliberately.

Keep reading

Animal cruelty law in IndiaEvery section 11 offence, the penalties and the reporting routes.
Dog bite rules in India
Feeding community dogs: the rules
Signs your pet needs a vet now
Pet first aid basics

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Sources

Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Petym checks its sources

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Animal Welfare Board of India: Constitution or reconstitution of district SPCAs in all States and UTs (12 February 2026) (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs: New criminal laws: BNS, BNSS and BSA in force from 1 July 2024 (30 July 2024) (opens in a new tab)checked 21 October 2026
RECOVER Initiative (Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 2026): RECOVER guidelines: first aid for dogs and cats, clinical guidelines (opens in a new tab)Peer-reviewed study · checked 21 October 2026