The Government has gazetted a new Animal Welfare Bill proposing tougher penalties, including imprisonment and fines of up to Rs. 500,000, for cruelty towards animals.
Published in the Extraordinary Gazette dated 17 July 2026, the Bill seeks to strengthen legal protections for animals, prevent cruelty and promote their welfare and wellbeing.
Under the proposed legislation, offences include assaulting animals, causing unnecessary pain or suffering, overworking animals, using animals unfit for labour, and deliberately depriving them of adequate food, water or shelter.
Those convicted of such offences could face a fine of up to Rs. 250,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
The Bill proposes harsher penalties for killing an animal in a cruel manner, with offenders facing a fine of up to Rs. 500,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
It also introduces provisions against abandoning animals, leaving sick or injured animals to die in public places, carrying out unlawful sterilisation procedures, and providing veterinary treatment without the required qualifications.
Organising, managing, facilitating or promoting animal fights and hunting activities that result in animals being injured or killed would also be prohibited.
The proposed legislation further sets standards for transporting animals, requiring transportation to be carried out without causing unnecessary pain, suffering, injury or danger. Violations could result in a fine of up to Rs. 300,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
A licensing system for pet shops and animal breeding centres is also proposed under the Bill.
The legislation follows recommendations by an expert committee appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture under a Cabinet decision of 29 December 2025 to review and strengthen the proposed law.
Following the committee’s recommendations, the Cabinet on 18 May 2026 instructed the Legal Draftsman to prepare the final Bill.
The draft subsequently received the Attorney General’s clearance and was published in the Gazette ahead of its presentation to Parliament for approval.
