Dog killers arrested, charge sheet soon

Nagpur: A retired officer of the Border Security Forces (BSF) and a security guard were arrested by the city police for allegedly thrashing a dog with a heavy stick and torturing it to death. According to animal experts, this is probably the second time in the city when the accused in an animal cruelty case has been arrested.
Following the brutal killing of stray dog ‘Bhairav’, animal lovers held several agitations demanding strict action against the culprits. Animal activist Akash Baleja had lodged a first information report (FIR) at Koradi police station against the ex-army man Chandan Batwe and watchman Ashok Bele under sections of Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.
TOI learnt that while Bele was arrested earlier, Batwe was arrested on Tuesday. However, both were reportedly released on bail. As per police officials, a charge sheet will be filed soon and further investigation will be carried out.
Appreciative of the cop’s action, animal activist Karishma Galani said that the police officials should handle all animal cruelty cases seriously. “Before this, it was around 2010 when a man was arrested for allegedly poisoning 40 dogs. After that, there have been hardly any arrests in cases of animal cruelty,” added Galani.
As reported by TOI, the incident had taken place on October 27 at Ekdant apartments situated in Ganeshpuri Nagar, Koradi. The accused saw the dog on the third floor and started beating him with a huge stick. On hearing the animal’s cries, the women residing in the apartment tried to stop them.
Batwe allegedly kept beating the poor animal even though it kept bleeding profusely. He then tied both the legs and dragged the dog from the third floor and took it away. Later, activists found the dog in a terrible state, tied to bushes and lying in a pool of blood.
Meanwhile, a day after registering a non-cognizable offence in the case where dog feeder Vikas Malwar was roughed up, Mankapur police have registered an FIR under section 325 of IPC against three persons on Monday.
PI VJ Mandavdhare told TOI, “Malwar had a medical check-up at Mayo Hospital. As the report showed no injuries, only an NC was registered. However, he was diagnosed with an injury to the ears at a private hospital. We again sent him to Mayo hospital which confirmed the injury. Hence an FIR was filed.”
As reported by TOI on Monday, the police did not take cognizance of Malwar’s complaint that the accused had kicked a pregnant dog and also pelted stones on all stray dogs.