Puppies thrown out of Noida society for creating 'nuisance', FIR filed against residents

NEW DELHI: The People for Animals (PFA) has lodged an FIR against the builder, secretary and security agency of a Noida-based society after they separated weeks-old puppies from their mothers and threw them out of the premises.

The FIR was registered at Noida Sector 49 police station against the builder of Prateek Wisteria in Sector 77, the Apartment Owners Association (AOA) along with the secretary and security agency.

According to a PFA member, two female dogs gave birth to 12 puppies in the Prateek Wisteria last week. On November 19, they were thrown out of the society. When some residents informed PFA member Kaveri Rana Bharadwaj, she lodged a police complaint.

Police confirmed that an FIR has been lodged under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act (PCA) 1960, and sections 428 (mandates a punishment of two years' imprisonment or fine, or both, for killing or maiming an animal of value of Rs 10 or more) and 429 (mandates a punishment of up to five years' imprisonment or fine, or both, for killing or maiming an animal of value of Rs 50 or more) of the Indian Penal Code.

"When residents informed me about the step taken by the AOA, I was shocked. So, I immediately spoke to the AOA secretary. She told me she was thinking about taking some steps as the puppies were a nuisance. Later, a society member informed me that the puppies have already been thrown out," Bharadwaj said.

Then Bharadwaj and resident Pragati Khanna visited the society only to find that nine of the 12 puppies were living on a vacant plot near the society while three had gone missing.

She added that the security guard at the building's gate admitted to the incident. Now, a search has been launched for the missing ones.

In response, the secretary of the society also lodged an FIR against the PFA and a resident at the same police station, under IPC Sections 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animals) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation).

"Last Sunday, the AOA called a meeting that was attended by all residents. The decision was taken unanimously as everyone agreed that the puppies were creating a lot of nuisance. We took this decision after a general agreement," said society secretary Nisha Rai.

She also said that as many as eight people have been bitten by dogs in a week, and their medical reports have been submitted to the police station. Investigating officer Padam Singh said: " Initial investigation suggests the dogs had become a menace. We can say more only after a complete probe."

(With DNA inputs)