The Choudwar police of Cuttack commissionerate arrested a 24-year-old youth for allegedly killing over 20 stray dogs in the last five days by administering poison to them. The carcasses of the dogs have been sent for forensic examinations, police said onWednesday.
“A case was registered against one Arun Kumar Sahu, a sweetmeat seller, under Section 429 of IPC and Section 11 (D) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act following a complaint from villagers of Shankarpur locality,” said local Police Inspector Biranchi Narayan Pati.Police said the accused confessed to the crime saying that the stray dogs gather around his shop all throughout the day and litter the place. “Irritated over the howling of the dogs at night and the mess they create, the youth gave them food laced with poison,” police said quoting the accused. The incident came to light on Wednesday when villagers stumbled upon at least 10 bodies of dogs dumped in a nearby pit.
They also recovered more bodies of dogs strewn around the marketplace of the village and lodged a complaint with police. “The accused must be punished severely for killing the innocent dogs in such a cruel manner,” said a villager.