Police probe dog torture video

The Ba police have begun investigating a viral video filmed on December 8 showing a group of men torturing dogs allegedly stolen for pig hunting. Police Spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed receiving the report on Monday. The video shocked the public and government officials alike.

“Animal cruelty is illegal and I think we need to start talking about it,” said Maleeka Buksh, the animal rights activist who captured the alleged torture and uploaded it on a social media site.

The video, shot on December 8, showed a group of men in Ba dragging dogs tied at the neck with wires and rope to a nearby vehicle.

In October, a veterinarian at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said they had received close to 1000 reports of dog poisoning this year.

The particularly high number of reports – some received on social media – point to a problem that may be larger than what is seen on the surface.

Permanent Secretary of Agriculture Jitendra Singh said the ministry would look into the video if they received information about the identities of the men.

“There are certain animal welfare issues covered in our various legislations like the Dog Act and even in the stray animal campaign that we do,” he said.

“We unfortunately do not have any law enforcement responsibilities so we cannot go and prosecute people like the police can.”

Police labeled the treatment of dogs in the video as illegal, citing Chapter 169 of the Protection of Animals Act.

“In many such incidents we go to the people and talk to them who own the animals on how to treat them,” Mr Singh added.

“And if it is serious, and if people are not adhering, then we take police with us so people can take notice of what we are doing.”