Maharashtra: Explosive bait kills dog near Neral, exposes brutal practice of using bombs against animals

A gruesome incident involving the death of a pet dog after it allegedly bit into an explosivelaced bait near a forested area in Maharashtrarsquos Karjat has triggered widespread concern over the use of crude explosive devices against animalsThe case has not only highlighted the extreme cruelty of such methods but has also prompted an investigation into whether the explosive was intended to kill stray animals or wildlife roaming the adjoining forestThe incident occurred on Friday evening behind a farmhouse at Asalpada Karjat approximately seven kilometres from Neral Police Station According to the first information report FIR the dog suffered fatal injuries when an explosive concealed in food detonated blowing apart its faceThe shocking nature of the incident has drawn attention from animal welfare activists residents and law enforcement agencies who have called for stringent action against those responsibleFIR registered under Explosives ActNeral Police registered FIR No 01442026 on Saturday at 501 pm against an unidentified person underSection 5 of the Explosives Substances Act 1908 which deals with the making or possessing explosive substances under suspicious circumstances attracting maximum punishment up to 10 years of imprisonment and fineSection 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS 2023 which deals with mischief by killing poisoning maiming or rendering useless any animal attracting maximum punishment up to five years imprisonment or fine or bothThe investigation is being conducted by Inspector Rahul Raghunath Varote of Neral Police StationPolice have stated that the accused is presently unknown and that investigations are underway to identify the individual responsible for planting the explosive deviceHorrific death of pet dogAccording to the complaint filed by Hamid Abdul Sukkurr a resident of Mumbai the incident came to light when his caretaker Om Singh telephoned him at around 725 pm on Friday to report a loud explosion behind the farmhouse compoundThe caretaker informed him that their pet dog Togo had approached an object believed to be food containing an explosive substance The explosion caused catastrophic injuries killing the dog instantlyThe complainant accompanied by his wife Nilofar and associate Akash Patil travelled to the property around midnight and confirmed the dogs death Police were informed immediately and CCTV footage reportedly confirmed that the explosion occurred around 725 pmUnknown man seen near blast siteThe FIR further records that on Saturday morning while feeding horses on the property the complainant and caretaker allegedly noticed an unidentified man standing near the location where the explosion had occurredAccording to the complaintThe man fled towards the adjoining forest after being called outHis identity remains unknownThe complainant suspects he may have planted the explosive deviceThis observation forms part of the police investigationPossible hunting angle under investigationThe FIR notes the complainants suspicion that the explosive device may have been placed to target wild animals that frequently move through the adjoining forest areaInvestigators are examining whetherThe explosive bait was intended for illegal hunting or poachingThe pet dog accidentally became the victim after approaching the baitSimilar explosive devices may have been placed elsewhere in the surrounding forest beltPolice have not yet confirmed any motive and all aspects remain under investigationExplosive baits pose serious threat beyond animalsAnimal welfare experts warn that explosivelaced food represents one of the most indiscriminate and inhumane methods used against animalsUnlike conventional traps explosive baitCannot distinguish between stray animals pets and wildlifeCan inflict catastrophic injuries within secondsPoses a danger to livestock and grazing animalsEndangers children farmers and other people who may unknowingly come into contact with such devicesCan damage surrounding habitats and create wider public safety risksExperts say even if such devices are intended for one species any animalmdashor personmdashcan become an unintended victimAnimal welfare officer seeks comprehensive probeThe matter was brought to the attention of authorities through the intervention of Soorraj Saha Honorary Animal Welfare Officer HAWO appointed under the guidance of the committee constituted by the Bombay High Court to monitor implementation of animal welfare regulations across Maharashtra in coordination with the state governmentSaha urged authorities to investigate the case from both an animal welfare and public safety perspectiveHe called upon Maharashtra Police forest department district administration wildlife authorities and forensic experts to jointly investigate the incident and determine whether it forms part of a larger pattern of illegal use of explosives against animalsThe death of a dog due to an explosive bait demonstrates the indiscriminate nature of such dangerous methods If explosive substances are being used against animals the threat extends far beyond wildlife and endangers domestic animals as well as the wider community Saha saidForensic examination and wider investigation soughtAnimal welfare representatives have requested authorities to undertake a detailed scientific investigation includingForensic examination of the blast siteRecovery and analysis of explosive residueIdentification of the explosive material usedExamination of CCTV footage and nearby surveillance systemsTracking of the unidentified suspect seen near the sceneInvestigation into possible illegal hunting networks operating in the forest regionAssessment of whether additional explosive baits remain concealed nearbyThey have also urged authorities to inspect adjoining forest areas to ensure no further explosive devices pose a threat to wildlife or the publicCalls for stronger enforcement intensifyThe incident has raised serious concerns over the use of explosive devices in and around forestedge areas with fears that such materials could endanger domestic animals livestock wildlife and unsuspecting members of the publicAnimal welfare organisations have demandedImmediate identification and arrest of those responsibleStrict prosecution under applicable criminal and wildlife lawsIncreased surveillance in vulnerable forestedge villagesGreater coordination between police and forest officialsPublic awareness campaigns against the use of explosive baitThey argue that stronger enforcement is essential to prevent similar incidents and protect both animals and local communitiesCase continues under investigationAs the investigation progresses police are expected to determineWho planted the explosive deviceThe intended target of the explosive baitWhether the incident is connected to illegal hunting activitiesWhether additional offences under wildlife or other applicable laws are attractedThe accused remains unidentified and no arrests have been made so farThe death of Togo has become a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of using explosive devices against animalsmdashmethods that regardless of the intended target can inflict indiscriminate suffering and place entire communities at risk