Death of 21 stray dogs: FIR registered against unidentified persons

POLICE HAVE filed a criminal offence against unidentified persons in connection with the death of 21 stray dogs, who were found dead under mysterious circumstances in Baner area over a week ago. Carcasses of the 21 dogs were found near the roadside shrubs on Pancard Road in Baner on September 28. Police said four of the carcasses were found charred, 16 others were suspected to have died due to poisoning. Activists of an NGO — the AaCT India (Action for Animals against Cruelty and Trauma) — had brought the matter to the notice of the police. After receiving information, a team of Chaturshringi police had visited the spot and conducted a panchanama on September 28.

The carcasses were sent for an autopsy. On Sunday, an offence was registered in this regard under the section 429 (Mischief by killing a cattle or animal) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The complaint was filed by Nina Rai, a member of the AaCT.

Assistant Inspector Pramod Kshirsagar, who is investigating the case said, “We were waiting for the autopsy report but the doctors have reserved the cause of death till the results of the Chemical Analysis are obtained. However, based on a primary probe, we cannot rule out foul play and have registered an FIR. Also, we did not find any security cameras nearby, but we will keep looking for them. We are trying to find out if there were any witnesses to the crime.”