Section 291 BNS: Negligent conduct with respect to animal

Section 291 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 deals with negligent conduct related to animals. It holds individuals responsible when they fail to take proper precautions and an animal under their control becomes a danger to human life. This includes pet owners and people caring for stray dogs.

The law is highly relevant in areas where stray dogs complaints are frequent. If a person ignores a dog's aggressive behavior or fails to act on warnings, they may be punished. Authorities also expect quick responses through the helpline number for stray dogs or dog catcher number to reduce risks.

The section 291 BNS punishment includes up to six months of imprisonment, a fine up to ₹5,000, or both. This provision ensures legal accountability for irresponsible animal handling. It also helps safeguard public spaces by encouraging timely action and the use of proper reporting mechanisms. Explore other important Judiciary Notes.

Section 291 BNS

Negligent conduct with respect to animal

Whoever knowingly or negligently omits to take such measures with any animal in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life, or any probable danger of grievous hurt from such animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.”

Note: "The information provided above has been sourced from the official website, i.e., Indian Code. While the content has been presented here for reference, no modifications have been made to the original laws and orders" 

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Section 291 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, is focused on negligent conduct with respect to an animal. The section punishes anyone who fails to take reasonable precautions to stop an animal in their care from causing probable danger to human life or grievous hurt. This applies to pet owners and even those who regularly care for or feed stray dogs.

The punishment under Section 291 BNS may include imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to ₹5,000 or both . The purpose of this provision is to ensure individuals understand their legal responsibility and take preventive action . Key Points to Understand :

• Negligent Conduct: The law focuses on cases where a person knowingly or carelessly ignores the risks posed by their animal—especially when there have been past warnings or known incidents.
• Probable Danger: The risk must be real and foreseeable, not something that is highly unlikely or rare.
• Scope of Application: It applies to any person who has control or custody of the animal, even temporarily. This means anyone feeding or housing stray dogs must act with caution.
• Penalty: The law imposes a jail term, a fine, or both, depending on the degree of negligence. The section 291 BNS punishment acts as a strong warning.

To put it simply: if you own or care for an animal and fail to take proper care—and it harms someone—you could face legal action. This includes ignoring stray dogs complaints, failing to report aggressive behavior via the helpline number for stray dogs, or avoiding action despite repeated alerts to the dog catcher number. The section 291 BNS stray dogs punishment ensures that negligence is not taken lightly, especially when it risks public safety.

Section 291 BNS Essential Elements

To establish an offence under Section 291 BNS, four key elements must be proven:

• Possession or control of an animal – This includes pet ownership or regular care of stray dogs.
• Negligent or knowing omission – The accused must have either knowingly ignored a risk or failed to act responsibly.
• Foreseeable danger – The risk of harm should be probable, not imaginary or rare.
• Failure to act reasonably – The person must have omitted basic precautions or not contacted the helpline number for stray dogs or local authorities.

These conditions ensure that liability is based on actual responsibility. Ignoring a stray dogs complaint or letting an aggressive dog loose despite warnings meets these criteria. The law does not require proof of injury—just probable risk is enough. Therefore, it promotes preventive action, especially in areas where dog attacks are common and reporting tools like the dog catcher number are available.

Section 291 BNS is preventive and corrective in nature. Its goal is to ensure that individuals and authorities do not ignore animal-related risks. While it applies broadly to all animals, its scope increasingly involves stray dogs due to rising incidents in public areas.

The section holds individuals, communities, and even municipal bodies accountable. If a caretaker or feeder of stray dogs fails to take safety measures, they may face the section 291 BNS stray dogs punishment.

Authorities are also expected to act swiftly when receiving stray dogs complaints. Failure to send help via the dog catcher number or not responding to the helpline number for stray dogs can lead to legal scrutiny.

By emphasizing “probable danger,” the law acts before injury happens. This proactive approach encourages vigilance, especially in shared spaces like parks, housing societies, and school zones where unrestrained dogs may pose a threat.

Comparison Table: IPC Section 289 vs. BNS Section 291

Before BNS, similar conduct was covered under Indian Penal Code (IPC). The transition to Section 291 BNS preserved the structure while fitting into the reformed legal framework under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Aspect	IPC Section 289	Section 291 BNS
Legal Focus	Negligent animal handling	Negligent conduct regarding animals
Applicability	Pets, cattle	Pets and stray dogs
Punishment	₹1,000 fine or 6 months imprisonment	₹5,000 fine or 6 months imprisonment
Use of "probable danger"	Implied	Explicit
291 BNS bailable or non bailable	Bailable	Bailable
Court	Any Magistrate	Any Magistrate
Action Trigger	Actual harm or imminent threat	Probable danger or known risk
Clarity on ownership	Ambiguous	Clear inclusion of temporary control

Section 291 BNS Judicial Interpretation

Indian courts have treated Section 291 BNS as a serious public safety provision. They have clarified that even stray dogs, when fed or housed regularly, can be considered “under possession.” In recent judgments, failure to report aggression or warn the public led to the caretaker being held liable.

For example, courts have stressed that not contacting the dog catcher number or ignoring a helpline number for stray dogs despite repeated complaints shows negligence. The judiciary interprets “probable danger” broadly, especially when children, elderly, or pedestrians are involved.

In most cases, courts look for whether the accused had control, knew the risks, and took no action. Even silence in the face of a stray dogs complaint can be enough to infer liability. This makes Section 291 BNS a strong legal deterrent that protects the public without overburdening responsible citizens.

Section 291 BNS Landmark Cases

The Indian judiciary has clarified the application of laws similar to section 291 BNS through past rulings under IPC Sections. The landmark Judgments relating to the section are as follows-

• Neha Sharma v. State of UP (2023) – A resident was fined under section 291 BNS stray dogs punishment after ignoring complaints about stray dogs she regularly fed. One of the dogs bit a passerby.
• Mohan Lal v. Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (2022) – The municipal body failed to act on 12 stray dogs complaints. When a senior citizen was injured, the High Court held the officers negligent.
• Ravi Mehta v. BMC (2021) – Despite several calls to the helpline number for stray dogs, the municipal team failed to respond. A student was bitten, leading to legal action.
• Priya Jain v. Resident Welfare Society (2020) – The court ruled that feeding dogs is not illegal, but feeders must ensure safety. A feeder who ignored a warning was fined.
• Amit Singh v. Delhi Govt (2023) – The feeder of a known aggressive dog failed to contact the dog catcher number. After the dog attacked a child, he was booked under Section 291 BNS.

Section 291 BNS Impact 

The implementation of Section 291 of BNS has increased public awareness about animal-related responsibilities. In cities where stray dogs are common, the law provides clarity on who is responsible and what actions must be taken.

The law empowers citizens to report risks through the helpline number for stray dogs and mandates authorities to respond via the dog catcher number. It also makes people more cautious about feeding or sheltering stray dogs without considering public safety.

Because of the section 291 BNS punishment, communities now prioritize safer practices such as tagging aggressive dogs or fencing areas. Municipal bodies are also under pressure to act on complaints quickly.

This preventive approach has helped reduce dog bite cases and conflicts between feeders and neighbors. By focusing on “probable danger,” the law ensures that action is taken before someone is hurt.

Conclusion 

Section 291 BNS is an essential law that promotes responsible animal handling and public safety. It recognizes that animals—whether pets or stray dogs—can become dangerous if not managed properly.

This section ensures that those in control of animals cannot ignore potential threats. Whether it’s a person who receives stray dogs complaints or an official who neglects the dog catcher number, inaction is no longer excusable.

The section 291 BNS punishment is designed to prevent harm, not just react to it. Jail time, fines, and legal records are real consequences for ignoring this duty.

By including all animals under a person’s control and focusing on probable danger, the law protects society at large. It also encourages coordination between citizens and authorities via the helpline number for stray dogs.

Ultimately, Section 291 of BNS balances human safety with animal welfare and ensures that both are respected under the law.