Section 291: Prohibition of killing animals or birds in public places

1) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, no person shall kill any animal or bird in any public place other than a religious place where there is a tradition to offer sacrifice of an animal or bird.

Provided that nothing shall bar the killing of any animal or bird in a fair, feast, exhibition or event or place where there is a tradition of slaughtering animals or birds being practiced from time immemorial.

Explanation: For the purposes of this Section, the term “public place” means a way, road, bridge, meadow or place for movement of human beings.

2) In making sacrifice of an animal or bird under sub-section (1), no sacrifice of such animal or bird shall be executed in any public place or religious place other than a religious place where the sacrifice of animals or birds has been in practice from time immemorial.

3) In making sacrifice of an animal or bird under sub-section (1), any alternative measure, if any, available to such sacrificing shall be adopted.

4) Where it is necessary to make sacrifice of an animal or bird, being it not possible to adopt the measure under sub-section (3), such sacrifice shall be made at such place and in accordance with such method as determined by the manager of the concerned religious place.

5) A person who commits, or causes to be committed, the offence referred to in this Section shall be liable to a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding five thousand rupees or both the sentences.