In a disturbing incident in Vivekananda Nagar, under Ambur municipality near Tirupattur, five stray dogs and a pet cat were found dead on Tuesday morning. The carcasses were discovered on the First Street of the neighborhood with raw meat near them, indicating possible poisoning.
Around 7 a.m., residents noticed the lifeless bodies of the animals and quickly alerted the Ambur town police and municipal officials. P. Santhanam, the commissioner of Ambur municipality, stated, “It was a shocking incident that happened in the town. An inquiry has been ordered. A case will also be registered with the local police.”
Preliminary investigations by police and civic officials revealed that Prem Anand, a 37-year-old poultry farmer, might be responsible for the deaths. Anand, who has been rearing around 60 chickens in his farmland for several years, reportedly left his fowls in the open daily. Stray dogs frequently barked at and chased the chickens, posing a perceived threat to his poultry.
Residents often intervened to prevent the dogs from harming the fowls. However, Mr. Anand allegedly grew frustrated with the continuous threat posed by the stray dogs. In response, police suspect that he mixed pesticide with raw meat and left it on the streets where the dogs typically roamed the previous night.
Following the incident, a group of concerned residents lodged a complaint with the civic body. The Ambur Town police are set to file a case under Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code (Mischief by killing or maiming cattle) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. A thorough investigation by veterinarians from the Directorate of Animal Husbandry of the State government is currently underway.
P. Santhanam emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “An inquiry has been ordered. A case will also be registered with the local police.”
The incident has shocked the local community, sparking outrage and demands for justice. Residents are calling for stringent action against those responsible for the cruel act, highlighting the need for better protection of stray animals and stricter enforcement of animal cruelty laws.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of compassion and responsible behavior towards animals, urging communities and authorities alike to work together to prevent such incidents in the future.
