Thane: Cruelty against animals have been increasing day-by-day. In a recent incident, a 50-year-old man was arrested by the Shil-Daighar police for allegedly raping a female stray dog on Sunday.
The police said that the case was registered on the basis of eye witnesses. Both the stray and the accused were sent for medical examination and are awaiting the reports.
The police said the complainant, a resident of Bholenath Nagar in Shilphata, Danish Siddique (43) owns a logistic business and is an animal lover. On May 30, Siddique received a call from his friend asking if any case is registered for sexual assault on an animal. When Siddique questioned his friend about this, he informed him about a man raping a stray dog. "Aware about the legal terms, Siddique contacted Vijay Rangare, from the Mumbai unit of People for Animal Organisation founded by Maneka Gandhi. Rangare along with his team visited the spot and gathered evidence and witnesses and reached the police station to register a case," said a police officer.
Parmeshwar Gavhane, police sub-inspector, Shil-Daighar police station confirmed that a case has been registered under section 377 (unnatural offences) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960.
The police said the arrested accused is identified as Ankush Sonkamble (50) who was arrested on Monday and was produced in court.
Vijay Rangare, the animal activist, said the accused claims to have been drunk at the time and denied the sexual assault charges. "We have evidence and witnesses to prove the crime he committed in the anti-room near his house. The locals were happy that their kids would be safe. He was sent for medical by the police. Also, I took the stray for a medical examination to SPCA in Parel. They gave samples, which we have submitted to the police. They claim it to be sent to Kalina forensic lab and are waiting for a report," added Rangare.
The police said the accused was unemployed and has four kids.
