Two community dogs found dead in Beltola spark outrage, raising questions over animal cruelty and accountability
Kaani was 12 years old, partially blind, sterilised and vaccinated. She had spent most of her life being fed and cared for by residents of Lakhimi Path in Beltola. Known by name at tea stalls and along the neighbourhood’s lanes, she had become less a stray and more a familiar part of the community.
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On July 30, Kaani was found dead near a burial ground beside the South West Sarbajanin Naamghar. Her body was allegedly dumped there in an attempt to conceal what had happened to her.
Less than 24 hours later, Boga, believed to be Kaani’s offspring and around eight years old, was found dead on Ajanta Path, a short distance from where Kaani’s body had been discovered. Two dogs had died within days in the same neighbourhood, prompting residents to question whether the incidents were connected.
Animal caregiver Syeda Ambia Zahan, who had cared for Kaani for years, filed a police complaint alleging that local resident Robin Malakar was responsible for the killing. According to the FIR, Malakar was accused of attempting to secretly dispose of Kaani’s body. He was reportedly detained and later released.
When Boga was subsequently found dead near Malakar’s residence, residents raised further concerns about a possible connection between the two deaths.
Hatigaon Police later arrested Malakar in connection with both cases. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) T.R. Pegu said the incidents had been treated seriously from the outset and that the investigation involved examining CCTV footage and witness statements. He said those found responsible for cruelty to animals would face legal action.
Malakar has been booked under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, according to police.
Before the arrest, residents and animal lovers had gathered on August 4 at the spot where the two dogs were found, holding a candlelight tribute for Kaani and Boga and calling for stronger protection for community animals. Zahan, speaking to media, expressed concern over the pace of the investigation and said the circumstances surrounding the deaths demanded a thorough probe.
The deaths in Beltola have also brought renewed attention to a wider problem: violence against animals that is often dismissed as a minor neighbourhood dispute or an act of momentary anger.
Across India, several cases have involved animals being killed or severely injured following complaints about barking, territorial disputes or other everyday conflicts. In Jabalpur, a man was allegedly arrested after being accused of beating at least five puppies to death with a stick. According to reports, the accused told police that the puppies’ barking throughout the night had disturbed residents in the area. Animal activists reportedly shared a video of the incident with authorities, following which action was taken. In Gorakhpur, a shopkeeper was reportedly accused of poisoning a stray dog and her seven newborn puppies before burning their bodies. The incident allegedly took place after the animals gave birth inside his shopping complex.
Meanwhile, in Durg, Chhattisgarh, a security guard was accused of tying a stray dog’s legs with wire and dragging it until it died. In Bengaluru, a dispute involving two pet dogs reportedly escalated into an attack in which three men tied up and severely beat one of the animals.
In Bengaluru, Karnataka, a dog fight between two pets reportedly escalated into an act of extreme cruelty after three men allegedly tied up the losing dog and beat it severely. The attack reportedly left the animal with critical injuries, including one of its eyes being gouged out.
Animal welfare researchers have long examined whether cruelty towards animals can be an indicator of broader patterns of violence. Often referred to as “The Link”, the body of research explores associations between animal abuse and violence against humans, including child abuse and domestic violence.
According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, research has identified significant associations between animal cruelty and violence against people. A 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University found that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to have also committed violent offences against people.
Further studies have highlighted how animal abuse can also be linked to violence within households. A 1983 study found signs of animal abuse in 88 per cent of homes where child abuse was being investigated. A 2017 study found that 89 per cent of women who had pets during an abusive relationship reported that their animals were threatened, harmed, or killed by their partners, often as a way to control, intimidate, or frighten them.
Researchers, however, caution against treating animal cruelty as proof that a person will inevitably become violent towards humans. Instead, they point to animal abuse as one possible indicator among several behavioural and social factors associated with violence.
Phil Arkow, who coordinates the National Link Coalition, has described animal abuse as a “predictor crime,” an early warning sign that violence within a household or community may not remain confined to animals.
Researchers, however, caution against treating animal cruelty as proof that a person will inevitably become violent towards humans. Instead, they point to animal abuse as one possible indicator among several behavioural and social factors associated with violence.
That distinction is important in cases such as those involving Kaani and Boga. Community dogs are particularly vulnerable because they have no owners who can immediately report their disappearance or advocate for them. Caregivers and residents often become their only line of protection.
The law provides mechanisms for prosecuting cruelty against animals, and police in Beltola have invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in investigating the two deaths. But animal caregivers and activists across the country have repeatedly raised concerns about delayed investigations and weak enforcement in cases involving community animals.
For residents of Lakhimi Path, the issue is now about more than two dogs. Kaani and Boga had become familiar figures in the neighbourhood, cared for by people who considered them part of the community.
Their deaths have left behind questions about what happened, who should be held accountable, and whether violence against animals will continue to be treated as a lesser offence simply because its victims cannot speak for themselves.