New Delhi: West Bengal has reported the maximum number of cruelty to animals cases in the past three years, according to the Environment and Forest Ministry.

As many as 40,000 cases of cruelty against animals were reported from West Bengal followed by Delhi and Uttar Pardesh. In 2006-07, 17,000 cases were reported from West Bengal alone.

The year-wise breakup of cases in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh shows that "since 2004-05, 1,389, 1,572 and 1,826 cases were reported respectively from the national capital while 1,541, 1,296 and 1,127 cases were reported from UP during the same period."

During 2006-07, 255 cases of animal cruelty were reported from Haryana, 7,971 and 65 from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Chattishgarh. The number of persons convicted under the Preventions of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960 were highest in Uttar Pardesh followed by Delhi and West Bengal.

Over 4,000 persons were convicted during 2004-05,3338 in 2005-06 and 3037 in 2006-07 under the PCA Act in Uttar Pradesh whereas about 1,500 people on an annual average were convicted in the national capital during the same period, the statement added.

However, the ministry did not specify the type of cruelty being meted out to the animals in the states.

Source : PTI