Woman booked for killing pet dog in Bengaluru apartment

The Mahadevapura police on Saturday booked a 38-year-old woman for allegedly killing her pet dog and torturing two other pets in her apartment in Bengaluru. She was found with the highly decomposed corpse of the dog as she was unaware of how to dispose of the carcass, according to the police.

Based on the complaint filed by Rudresh Kumar, a veterinary doctor, the police charged the accused Triparna Paik under Sections 132 (deals with the assault or criminal force used to deter a public servant from performing their duty), 226 (attempt to commit suicide with the intent to compel or restrain the exercise of lawful power), 325 (commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming, or rendering useless any animal), 271 (negligent acts that are likely to spread infection of a disease dangerous to life), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the BNS on Thursday.

According to the police, residents complained against Triparna Paik, a resident of Akme Ballet apartment in Doddanekundi after witnessing alleged acts of animal cruelty. She was staying alone in the apartment along with three pets for many years.

The members who overheard the pets crying and howling raised multiple complaints about the poor condition of the animals in her care, including a dog reportedly found dead under suspicious circumstances. Based on the complaint, animal rights activists, a veterinary doctor, and the police went to the apartment for inspection, when the accused allegedly threatened them.

“The smell was unbearable. This is not just cruelty to animals, but also a public nuisance affecting the entire apartment block,” said the veterinary doctor in his complaint.

Sadhana Hegde, founder of Sahavarthin Animal Welfare Trust, and a part of the inspection team, in her statement said, “It has been two days since the decomposed body of the animal was found in her house. The dog’s throat was slit and it is evident that the animal had been starving.”

The police have sent the rescued dogs to an animal rehabilitation centre, and are awaiting the postmortem report of the dead dog for further investigation.