Budaun: A man in Uttar Pradesh's Budaun is facing legal action for drowning a rat tying it to a brick.
A case has been filed against Manoj Kumar, although rats do not come under the category of "animals".
Cruelties against animals are dealt with provisions in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The incident came to fore after animal rights activist Vikendra Sharma, who filmed the drowning of the rat, complained against Kumar.
The video of the incident has also gone viral on social media platforms, India Today reported.
Manoj Kumar is accused of drowning a rat in a drain after tying a stone to its tail. The activist tried to save the rat from the ditch but it died any away.
Later Sharma complained to the authorities to take action against Kumar for his cruel act.
Now the accused faces charges under section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc) of IPC, along with section 11 (1) (1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, at Sadar Kotwali police station, according to the report.
Deputy SP (City) Alok Mishra said the accused was summoned to the station.
Meanwhile the dead rat was taken to veterinary hospital for a forensic examination but staff there refused to examine it.
Afterwards, it was taken to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly.