Local body hired men to kill 90 dogs: Buldhana Police

A total of 90 dogs were struck on the head, muzzled and tied before being dumped to die in Buldhana, the police have found. The shocking brutalities were committed at the behest of a civic official, said the police on Friday.

Buldhana SP Dilip Bhujbal said a senior official from Bhokardan Municipal Council in Jalna district had hired five 'dog killers', all now arrested, after locals complained about rising population of strays. To hide their failure, the official offered the men Rs 100 per animal, he said. DNA could not immediately ascertain the identity of the officer, who is being probed.

"The five men took nearly three days to kill the 90 dogs. They would first lure them with food then hit them on the head. Once the dogs lost consciousness, they muzzled them, tied their legs and dumped them along a road," said Bhujbal.

The killings came to light on Monday after villagers living close to the Girda-Savaldabara Road complained of foul smell filling the area. However, the police and activists were quick to suspect that it was the handiwork of a local body from a neighbouring district. Meet Ashar, an officer with PETA, said they have demanded strict action against the municipal official.