Based on the video clip showing a person gunning down a dog that went viral and prompted animal activists to lodge a complaint, police have finally confirmed that the killing took place under Chengemul police station limits of Ranga Reddy district.
They believe the shooter to be a minor, but are yet to ascertain how he managed to secure a gun and the exact location where the incident took place.
This is the second incident of cruelty against animals reported on the same day in Hyderabad.
In the first one, eight minors had burnt to death three puppies at a graveyard in Musheerabad police station area. All of them were detained and presented before the Juvenile Court after registering a case against them following a complaint lodged by an animal activist.
One of the minors involved in burning the puppies to death video-graphed the act using his mobile phone and shared it with a friend who uploaded the same on social media. It got circulated through WhatsApp and eventually resulted in eight minors being arrested.
The video clip of a person aiming at a dog and shooting it with a gun too had gone viral by then. Animal activists lodged a complaint about this too. The State police top brass directed all the district and city units to identify the place based on the video images.
“It seems there are two instances of shooting of dogs. Both took place in Chegemul police station area and is committed by a same person,” Ranga Reddy SP Naveen Kumar told The Hindu . The incidents are believed to have taken place at Golconda dairy farm and Golconda textile premises.
In both the incidents, the police have identified the accused, but believe that he is a minor. “The minor’s father had firearm licence. It is yet to be ascertained how he was allowed to use the gun,” the SP said. A criminal case under section 429 (cruelty against animal) of Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals has been registered.
The police are also examining relevant sections of the Arms Act and Information Technology Act in the case.
