The mutilated bodies of stray dogs were found near Tammadihalli forest area.
Bangalore:
About forty decomposed carcasses of stray dogs have been found near a forest area in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, about 300 km from state capital Bengaluru. Police say that the stray dogs were caught and buried by a contractor, who was asked to drive away the dogs.
This horrifying discovery was made when villagers reported that the barking of dogs had suddenly stopped in this area.
Police officials, citing preliminary investigation, said that the contractor may have been helped by “some gram panchayat members”.
Shivamogga superintendent of police BM Lakshmi Prasad said, “It seems that the contractor killed around 30 to 40 dogs and buried them there. Some gram panchayat members may also be involved. We have registered a case.”
Kambadalalu Hosur Gram Panchayat was entrusted with the task of sterilization (surgically removing the testicles) of stray dogs. Police officials, citing preliminary investigation, said that the contractor, however, resorted to killing and burying them instead of performing a surgical procedure.
GS Basava Prasad, an activist of Shivamogga Animal Rescue Club, alleged that the gram panchayat members were not aware of the neutering process. “So it looks like they caught the stray dogs and buried them in 20 by 20 pits,” he said.
The incident came to light when the villagers noticed that the dogs had stopped barking. Soon after, the villagers informed Shivamogga Animal Rescue Club, who searched the area and found their graveyard.
An FIR has been registered against unknown persons under various sections of cruelty against animals.
The bodies of the dogs have been sent for postmortem to ascertain the cause of death.
Animal rights activists allege that 200 to 300 dogs have been killed in this barbaric manner. However, the police have confirmed the death of 40 dogs.
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