The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) now classifies tail docking and ear cropping as mutilation and animal cruelty which is a punishable offense under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. Persons caught performing these procedures shall be punished under Sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code as they maim or cause injury to animals. An advisory will be sent to all veterinarians to end the practice. AWBI considers these procedures as “non-therapeutic” and “cosmetic.”