Thane, May 12: Kapurbawdi police on Wednesday registered a case against a man under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 after his pet turtle fell to death from his residence in a high-rise in Thane, an official said.
The turtle fell from the man's flat, located on the 20th floor of Coral Building in Majiwada area, on May 1, he said.
The case against its owner, Pratik Uttam Chore, was registered at Kapurbawdi police station based on complaint lodged by two NGOs, the official said.
The police said the Amma Care Foundation (ACF) and Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai (PAWS) office received information along with photographs of the incident regarding a dead pet turtle.
The complainant Sunish Subramanian Kunju, Bonorary Animal Welfare officer of Animal Welfare board of India drafted an official written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of police, Zone 5, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Vartak Nagar and senior police inspector of Kapurbawadi Police Station.
The complainant Kunju received a call on May 1 from a resident of the high-rise. The resident informed that the owner didn't even claim it. Due to which the body of the turtle was disposed of by the housekeeping staff or watchmen of the society.
"Drafting a letter to the concerned authorities, I requested to investigate and register a case. As per the photograph, the dead turtle was a red-eared slider turtle that fell from the 20th floor," said Kunju.
Following which team led by police sub-inspector, M. G. Kale from Kapurbawadi Police Station visited the spot, verified the fact and registered a case on May 12 under sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
"The owner said that he washed the turtle and kept at his French window from where it fell down," said a police officer from Kapurbawadi police station.
