NASHIK: In a case of animal cruelty, the Deola police have booked two residents of Lohoner village in Nashik district for allegedly poisoning 21 stray dogs and two cats earlier this week.The accused have been identified as Ramesh Ahire and Mukesh, alias Papa Pardeshi. An FIR was registered on Aug 14 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Maharashtra Police Act.According to the police, information was received on the morning of Aug 13 about the deaths of several stray animals near the Balaji temple and the Maharashtra Bank areas of Lohoner village. Inspector Sarthak Nehete, assistant Inspector Vinay Devre and constable Suresh Ramesh Korade visited the spot.During the investigation, the police found that the accused had allegedly purchased raw chicken from a local butcher around 7.30pm on Aug 12 and later bought toxic pesticides from a nearby shop. The pesticide was allegedly mixed with the chicken and fed to stray dogs and cats at different locations in the village.On the morning of Aug 13, sanitation worker Kantilal Salunkhe found 20 dogs and two cats dead. Unaware of police procedures, he collected the carcasses and buried them in a pit behind the village Amrutdham ground using a JCB machine.While inspecting the area, the police reportedly saw another dog foaming at the mouth and writhing in pain before collapsing. The animal was immediately taken to the Deola veterinary hospital for postmortem and sample collection.Following the postmortem findings and verification of the burial site, constable Korade lodged the complaint against the two accused. The police said the accused deliberately laced chicken pieces with poison and fed them to the animals. Inspector Sarthak Nehete is conducting further investigation.
