Vellore sources have stated that the police on Tuesday have arrested five persons, including an official of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Ranipet, for allegedly killing twenty-one dogs. Rajangam, inspector of Ranipet station has said their enquiry has found that they killed 21 dogs on September 9th and has buried the carcasses on the campus.
The inspector has said earlier on Tuesday that the police have exhumed the carcasses from a garbage dump close to a water body on the township premises. Specimens were sent for forensic analysis to determine the cause of death and they are inquiring if they had poisoned the dogs and the five persons have been arrested and remanded.
A person, who witnessed the killing of dogs on September 9th, has written in an email to the Animal Welfare Board of India. Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has replied to the email, and has forwarded it to Chennai based animal activist T.B. Somanathan, who in turn, has alerted the Vellore Collector.
Mr. Somanathan has said there was not much awareness about rules and regulations against cruelty to animals and the present legislation the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is not strong and the people are warned and let off in some cases, even if an FIR is filed, there is no arrest or people get bail.
