MADURAI: A dog and two puppies were killed by unidentified people, who allegedly poisoned their food in Manoranjitham Street in Krishnapuram colony.
The stray dog had three puppies and while two died on Sunday, one more, was being treated in a veterinary hospital. The mother died on Monday. Based on a complaint from Mayur Hassija, an animal activist from the city, a case was registered with the Koodalpudur police station and an inquiry was underway.
Hassija said that the dogs were taken care of by an elderly couple. A neighbour has been complaining about the dogs saying that they may bite her daughter. The couple counselled the neighbour but he was not convinced and lodged a complaint with the Madurai Corporation.
Hassija said that the dog was captured by the corporation employees despite the fact that nursing dogs should be spared. The corporation workers brought the dog back to her habitat after providing an anti-rabies injection. “We are not sure who has killed the dog. The city police should view it as a serious incident and arrest the people behind it,” he said.
K P Marikumar, animal activist said that incidents of killing dogs take place quite regularly. There were at least 15 incidents of killing dogs in the last few months.
Hassija said that animal activists find it difficult for cases to be booked in such incidents as police do not show seriousness unless pressure is exerted through higher officials.
“Fine and punishment should be increased under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in order to stop the killing of dogs. The civic body should vaccinate 70% of the community dogs and achieve 80% sterilization as per the WHO guidelines and ensure that dogs and humans happily coexist,” he added.
