Is killing Animal/Elephant offence under Indian Penal Code?

Is killing Animal/Elephant offence under Ipc?

Recently we have seen that there is lot of anger among animal life activists about killing of  elephant in Kerala by feeding elephant with pineapple stuffed with explosives. There are various laws enacted to protect wildlife and animal life. But a question strikes  mind of law students weather killing of any Animal or Elephant is recognized as a crime under Indian Penal Code or not.

Whether killing of a animal amounts to murder

No, killing of animal amounts to murder because under IPC life has been defined as human life in definition of life under Section 45 Indian Penal Code. So killing of a elephant or animal will not amount to murder. 

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Is killing of a elephant or animal not a crime under Indian Penal Code?

Killing or damaging or maiming any animal is offence under Indian Penal Code. When you study Indian Penal Code thoroughly you will find that Indian Penal Code recognizes killing of elephant or any animal as a offence section 425 and it is further classified under section 427 428 429 and so on.

Section 425 - Mischief

Section 425 Mischief- Whoever with intent to cause,or knowing that he is likely to cause,wrongful loss or damage to the public or to any person,causes the destruction of any property ,or any such change in any property or in the situation thereof as destroys or diminishes it's value or utility,or affects  it injuriously, commits "mischief".

Section 429- Indian Penal Code

Mischief by killing or maiming battles,etc of any value or any animal of the value of fifty rupees.-Whoever commits mischief by killing,poisoning,maiming or rendering useless,any elephant, camel,horse ,mule,Buffalo,bull,cow or ox,whatever may be value thereof,or any other animal of the value of fifty rupees or upwards,shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years,or with fine or with both.

Classification of offence-
Cognizable-Bailable-Compoundable-Triable by Magistrate of first class.

Yes , killing a animal or harming a animal in any form is offence under Indian Penal Code. It is covered under mischief defined under section 425 and further classified in various sections 426,427 and so on.We would like to say that the sections being bailable allows the offender to get away easily.Law should be amended to make it non bailable so these provisions can serve for animal safety.