Nearly 20 cats found dead, mutilated in Mumbai's Chembur; FIR registered
Police have launched an investigation after nearly 20 cats were found dead and mutilated in the Panjrapole locality of Chembur in eastern Mumbai, an official said on Thursday.
The discovery has prompted animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India to announce a reward of up to Rs 50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
According to the official, local animal caregiver Rubeena Pathan approached the police after finding mutilated carcasses of cats in the area over a period of time. Pathan, along with representatives of PETA India, subsequently lodged a complaint.
Last week, Pathan found the carcasses of six cats, the official said.
The police have registered a case against unidentified persons at the RCF police station under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with mischief by killing or maiming an animal, besides relevant provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
“We are actively scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding Panjrapole area to identify the culprit or culprits behind these acts of cruelty,” a police official said.
PETA India said people with actionable information about the killings could contact the organisation and assured that the identities of informants would be kept confidential.
The investigation is underway.
