Over 25 dogs were shot dead in Nallur Yerikkarai village, near Minjur, in Tiruvallur district on Monday, and the carcasses dumped in a well in the village.
Animal welfare activist T.B. Somanathan, who visited the place and registered a complaint with the local police, said the canines were killed on instructions from the local panchayat president Muthu Kumar. Three narikuravas were hired to carry out the task and were assured of a payment of Rs. 60 per dog. The carcasses were carried in a tractor to the well.
When news of the incident spread, two of the narikuravas and the vehicle driver managed to escape. The panchayat president also fled the village, Mr. Somanathan said.
On Tuesday, fire services personnel removed the carcasses from the well. A veterinarian conducted a post-mortem examination, Mr. Somanathan said.
S. Chinny Krishna, vice-chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India, said local bodies could not take action like this. The State government was providing funds to implement an animal birth control programme, he pointed out. Moreover, killing community dogs would not help reduce the menace, he said, adding, “Removing a canine from one area will only lead to new ones taking over that space. The only solution would be to have birth control measures taken.”
A case has been registered with the Minjur police and further investigation is on, Mr. Somanathan added.
