Q. Does practising Phooka or Doom Dev amount to cruelty?

A. Yes. Section 12 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 penalizes the practice of Phooka or Doom Dev or any other operation being performed upon any cow or other milch animal, to improve its lactation. This is injurious to the health of the animal. It is a cognizable offence and offenders shall be punishable with a fine, which may extend upto one thousand rupees, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend upto two years, or with both, and the animal on which the operation was performed shall be forfeited to the Government.

Also, if a police officer, not below the rank of sub-inspector, has reason to believe that Phooka or any other operation of the nature referred to in Section 12, has been performed or will be performed on any animal within the limits of his jurisdiction, he may enter any place in which he has reason to believe such animal to be, and may seize the animal and produce it for the examination by the veterinary officer in charge of the area in which the animal is seized.