Reward Declared for Info on Killers of 21 Dogs & Cats in Pune

The Humane Society International announced a Rs 50,000 reward for those who give information leading to the killers.

21 dogs and cats were allegedly poisoned in Pune. Image for representation only. 

(Photo: iStockphoto)

The bodies of 21 dogs and cats, both pets and strays, were found at a housing society in Pune’s Yerwada area from December 2018 and January 2019, a veterinary doctor from the area told The Quint. They are suspected to have been poisoned.

On Saturday, 2 February, The Humane Society International, India announced a Rs 50,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with any information on the murders of the animals in Pune’s Tridal Society.

Apoorva Katpatal, cruelty response manager of HSI India told The Quint, “Any information that leads to the conviction of the person(s) responsible is appreciated and so we have announced the award this afternoon. HSI will want to go ahead with criminal prosecution”

The tip-line number to call is 8899117773.

“We are encouraging people to come forward and call the number as any information helps,” Katpatal added.

Most of the animals were taken care of by the residents of the Tridal Nagar Society. Six out of the seven stray dogs were less than a year old and had been living inside the society since they were born, reported Pune Mirror.

Veterinary doctor Vivek Pande said two cats of a Tridal Nagar resident had got two cats for treatment on 29 December last year.

“They were dead before admission and had symptoms of being poisoned. They were frothing a black, tar-like substance from their mouths and had been vomiting earlier. They also had internal bleeding and convulsions.”

The deaths were painful but most likely quick, he said.

“It was a suspected poisoning, and a post-mortem has been ordered,” Dr Pande said. Test results are awaited to confirm the cause of death and clarify the type of poison ingested by the animals.

As per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, street dogs can't be beaten or driven away, and animal cruelty is an offence punishable with imprisonment and fine.

Residents of the Tridal society have taken the case to the authorities. Yerwada Police station Inspector Dinkar Mohite told Pune Mirror, “We have taken cognisance of the matter and an inquiry is ongoing. We are awaiting the post-mortem report from the animal forensic department of the Government Veterinary Hospital, Pune, soon. After this, the case will progress further.”

However, animal rights volunteer Narayani Paraithe believes that, “An FIR is registered for the collection of evidence and to recognise the crime. But rarely is any perpetrator caught and punished.”

(This story was updated on 2 February 2019 with details of the reward announced for information.)