CHENNAI: A dog died after the country bomb hurled at its master, a security guard, early on Friday near Sholinghur , 130km from Chennai, exploded in its mouth. The woman who threw the bomb and the man who allegedly sold it to her have been arrested.

The dog, Reeta , caught the country bomb hurled at Balaji by Valliammal and bit into it, triggering an explosion that shattered its mouth and killed it instantly, police said.

Police said the plastic manufacturing company in Thondamanatham near Sholinghur in Vellore district, where Balaji, 45, worked, had been locked in a land dispute with Valliammal, a neighbour, for several years.

Early on Friday, the guard was in his shed when Valliammal came there and picked up a quarrel with him. His pet, Reeta, rushed at her. In the course of the argument, Valliammal pulled out a bomb and threw it at Balaji. Though caught unawares, he managed to duck in time. Reeta, who was behind the guard, jumped and caught the bomb that exploded in its mouth, police said. Balaji, who escaped with minor bruises, had brought up Reeta from when she was a pup four years ago.

Balaji informed the company manager, Sait, who rushed there with a few other employees. Based on a complaint, the Sholinghur police registered a case and arrested Valliammal. Basesd on the information she provided, they nabbed Rama Subramanian , 35, who sold her the bomb.

The two were later remanded in Puzhal prison.

