Three minor boys allegedly burnt four stray dogs to death at a park in the Kidwai Nagar area of Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. The children, aged between 8 to 10 years, were playing in Geeta Park G Block of Kidwai Nagar. One of the kids told a local that his friend had brought a matchbox from home and later set the puppies on fire, as reported by news agency IANS.
A local told IANS, "As the boy threw the burning match stick on the puppies’ shelter made of dry straw and jute sack, it caught fire giving no chance to the puppies to escape."
On seeing the smoke, locals tried to extinguish the fire with buckets of water, but by then all the four puppies were dead.
Confirming the development, a police spokesperson said the locals had set up a shelter with straw and jute sacks for the puppies in the park amid the cold weather. "Today, while playing, three children allegedly set the shelter on fire, resulting in the death of four puppies," he said.
According to a Times of India report, police officials said recently a dog gave birth to four puppies in Kidwai Nagar. "To prevent the puppies from catching cold, the local people had made a small shelter for them," police said.
After the news spread, animal lovers and activists rushed to the spot to stage a protest against the ones responsible and demanded strict action on the matter, reported Times of India.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Babupurwa Amarnath Yadav, said "We have come to know about the shocking incident. Action will be taken on the basis of evidence and necessary findings,” as reported by IANS.