Animal activists have given a formal complaint at the Vishrantwadi Police Station in Pune against a man for allegedly raping street dogs over the last few days, officials said on Tuesday.
Members of the NGO Animal Haven, including Ragini More, Mrudula Waghmare and others, gave a formal complaint alleging that a labourer, who is a native of Karnataka, was involved in the shocking crime, they added.
According to activist Ragini More, the accused has been identified as 35-year-old Mallappa Hosmani, who was caught on camera while taking a female dog into a tin shed in Tingre Nagar and then assaulting her.
An eyewitness, who observed the incident, immediately alerted the NGO members, who rushed to the scene.
"We arrived within minutes and found Hosmani in the act of beating the animal,” said More.
The incident was recorded on CCTV, which clearly shows the accused approaching street dogs and forcibly taking them into a nearby tin shed. According to sources, the accused has raped these street dogs.
Many street dogs have been found missing, which were usually seen at specific spots in Tingrenagar.
“We demand swift and strict action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.”
Earlier, in April this year, a man from Handewadi in Pune had accused a West Bengal native, Alimuddin Aminal Shaikh, of raping his female dog. The incident came to light after the dog's owner checked the CCTV footage.
Reportedly, the family was not at home when the dog was allegedly raped. During the interrogation, Shaikh admitted to the crime he had committed. Regarding the matter, a case was registered under Section 329 of the BNS and Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, at Kalepadal Police Station on April 11.
