Man booked after allegedly shooting stray dog over attack on pet in Shivamogga

Police in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district booked a man for allegedly shooting a stray dog with an unlicensed firearm after it reportedly bit his pet dog. The animal died at the scene, while police are investigating the weapon’s source and possible licence violations

Bengaluru: The police registered case against a man for allegedly shooting dead a stray dog with an unlicensed firearm after the animal reportedly bit one of his pet dogs in Shivamogga district of Karnataka, officials said on Friday. The accused has been identified as Lingamurthy, a resident of Nadavalli village.

The Anandapura Police, under whose jurisdiction the village falls, are investigating how the firearm was obtained and whether Lingamurthy had a valid licence or authorisation to possess or use it. According to the police, he allegedly shot the stray dog after becoming angry over repeated confrontations between the animal and his pet dogs.

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According to the complaint, the incident took place on Thursday when a man identified as Borappa was taking cattle past Lingamurthy’s residence to graze in an area outside the village. A male stray dog was reportedly following the cattle and came close to Lingamurthy’s house.

The police said Lingamurthy’s pet dogs would frequently bark at and fight with the stray whenever it approached the residence. The stray dog had also allegedly bitten one of his pet dogs, following which Lingamurthy became angry with the animal.

The police said that Lingamurthy then came out of his house carrying an unlicensed firearm and fired at the stray dog. The animal sustained gunshot injuries to its back and thigh and died on the spot. Acting on the information received, the Anandapura Police registered a case against Lingamurthy under provisions relating to animal cruelty, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

The police said that using an unlicensed firearm to shoot the animal was unlawful. They also noted that firing a weapon in such circumstances could pose a threat to public safety, particularly in a residential area.

The accused has been booked under relevant provisions of the animal cruelty law, the BNS and the Arms Act. The police are investigating how the accused got the firearm and if he has licence to use it.

The incident has raised concerns over the use of firearms in disputes involving stray animals. While the alleged attack on the pet dog is part of the circumstances being examined, the police have stressed that individuals cannot take the law into their own hands, particularly by using unauthorised weapons.

Further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events, the circumstances leading to the shooting and the source of the unlicensed firearm allegedly used in the incident.