• Draft law proposes tougher penalties for cruelty and stronger welfare protections

The Government has gazetted a new Animal Welfare Bill aimed at strengthening legal protections for animals and preventing acts of cruelty.

Published in the Extraordinary Gazette of 17 July 2026, the draft legislation seeks to promote compassion towards animals while safeguarding their welfare and wellbeing.

The Bill prohibits acts including assaulting animals, causing unnecessary suffering, overworking them, using unfit animals for labour, deliberately depriving them of food, water or shelter, and causing unnecessary pain through any other means.

Anyone convicted of such offences could face a fine of up to Rs. 250,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

The draft law also proposes tougher penalties for those convicted of killing animals in a cruel manner, with fines of up to Rs. 500,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.

It further introduces provisions covering the abandonment of animals, leaving sick or injured animals to die in public places, illegal sterilisation procedures and veterinary treatment carried out by unqualified persons.

The Bill also bans organising, managing, facilitating or promoting animal fights and hunting activities that result in injury or death to animals.

New provisions have also been introduced on the transportation of animals, requiring them to be transported in a manner that does not cause unnecessary pain, suffering, injury or danger. Violations could attract fines of up to Rs. 300,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

In addition, the Bill proposes a licensing system for pet shops and animal breeding centres.

The legislation follows recommendations made by an expert committee appointed by the Agriculture Ministry Secretary under a Cabinet decision dated 29 December 2025 to review and strengthen the proposed law.

Based on those recommendations, the Cabinet on 18 May 2026 instructed the Legal Draftsman to prepare the final Bill. The draft has since received the Attorney General's clearance and was published in the Government Gazette ahead of being presented to Parliament for approval.