KOCHI: In yet another incident of brutality against animals in the district, a dog and its seven one-month-old puppies were set on fire by a woman at Manjali under Alangad police station limit. The puppies died of burn injuries while their mother escaped with injuries.
Mary of Manjali Diamond Mukku in ward number three under Karumalloor panchayat set fire to the dogs at her house on Saturday evening. The video of the incident shows the woman setting the puppies on fire using a flambeau, in the porch.
Animal rights activists rescued the dog. Mary told police that she buried the dead puppies in the nearby compound.
A case has been registered at Alangad police station after Daya, a Muvattupuzha-based animal rights organization, filed a complaint. Case has been registered under Section 429 of the IPC and 11 (1) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. Section 429 of the IPC entails five years of imprisonment and fine for killing, poisoning or rendering useless any animal of value of Rs 50 or above. It is a bailable offence.
As per the complaint by Daya, the woman had killed puppies in the same manner last year also.
“The veterinary doctor advised to give antibiotics to the injured dog for three days and to put it under observation for next 10 days. The woman told police that seven puppies were burned to death on Saturday,” said Ambili Purackal of Daya Animal Welfare Organisation.
A panchayat member said the woman had told them after the incident came to light that the dogs had caused her much discomfort and that she had fallen down on the ground after a dog charged at her. “She should have told us about the nuisance caused by the dogs in her house. We would have shifted the animals from there,” said a panchayat member.
Last month, several stray dogs were culled by people at Thrikkakara with the alleged knowledge of authorities.
