The two unidentified policemen hired Kiruba to catch stray dogs after local residents complained of being chased away by the canines. | Photo Credit: Representative Image

Key Highlights The accused dog catcher has been identified Kiruba Police say two cops are yet to be identified Kiruba was hired to catch stray dogs after local residents complained of being chased away by the canines

Chennai: In a horrific incident, a stray dog was beaten to death by two policemen in Pallikaranai area of South Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

Police have now booked three persons, including a dog catcher under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. The incident took place on January 24.

According to a report in Times of India, the complaint against the three men was filed by a 52-year-old man identified as Muthukumaran. The accused dog catcher has been identified Kiruba.

The identities of the two accused policemen are yet to be known. Senior police officials say their names will be included in the FIR once they are identified by the local residents.

According to police, the two unidentified policemen hired Kiruba to catch stray dogs after local residents complained of being chased away by the canines.

The accused dog catcher then caught the animal and stuffed it in a gunny bag and handed it over to the cops. The accused then beat the dog and gave the bag to Kiruba.

Later, Kiruba released the dog, who was rushed to a hospital after local residents alerted Blue Cross of India. However, the canine died at the hospital.

In October last year, 300 stray dogs have been poisoned to death in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. An animal welfare organisation had alleged that the canines were poisoned by some panchayat officials of Kanteru Village.

A complaint by the organisation was also filed at a police station in Tadikonda Mandal under which the village falls.

In a similar incident, 78 dogs were poisoned to death allegedly by municipal officials in Siddipet village of the Siddipet district. Four municipal corporation officials were suspended over their alleged involvement in the poisoning of the dogs.

The alleged culling of the stray dogs created an uproar among animal lovers and rights activists, who petitioned BJP MP and animal rights crusader Maneka Gandhi.