Man held for flogging stray dogs in W Delhi

NEW DELHI: In another shocking incident of animal cruelty, a 58-year-old man was arrested for flogging stray dogs in his area with a stick, critically injuring one in west Delhi’s Ramesh Nagar. The incident was captured by a CCTV camera of the locality following which action was taken.
Senior police officers said that the accused has been identified as Harjinder Singh and he has been booked for sections pertaining to maiming or killing of animals of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act at Kirti Nagar police station.

The incident was reported when the honorary district animal welfare officer, Vikram Kochhar, submitted a complaint to the cops regarding the incident. In his complaint, Kochhar stated that Singh had beaten a stray dog in his locality in Ramesh Nagar.

“The dog got grievously injured and the medical report proves the same,” Kocchar said in his statement to the police. A CCTV footage, which captured the incident, was also submitted to the cops.

The video, accessed by TOI, shows that the incident happened on January 31. In the footage, the accused is seen roaming outside his house with a rod even as the canines move away. The footage shows the dogs running away after being hit by Singh.

Subsequently, another video shows the accused arguing with his neighbours, who were reportedly taking care of the stray dogs and used to provide food to them.

After the incident, the officials of the Animal Welfare Board were contacted, who took the injured dog to a nearby veterinary clinic where he was operated upon for the injuries. The medical report has also been handed over to the cops for investigation.

Investigating teams have checked the video and had called Singh to join in the probe. The teams are also recording the statements of the neighbours regarding the incident.