Activists allege animal cruelty, police deny foul play

Disturbing videos showing mutilated and burnt remains of dogs have become a flashpoint between animal rights activists and the police in the Keshav Puram area of North-West Delhi.

In one such video which The Tribune has reviewed, an MCD worker can be seen picking up the remains of dead dogs, allegedly for disposal.

Parvinder Kaur, a dog rights activist, who claims to have shot the video herself, has alleged a series of cruelty incidents in the area.

She filed a complaint in the Keshav Puram police station on August 16 concerning mutilated dog bodies.

In her written complaint, which The Tribune has accessed, she accused unidentified persons of dumping five to six dead dogs near a traffic signal.

She wrote, “Police officials arrived at around 1:30 pm, and the SHO concerned, upon reaching the spot, was informed about the matter...I request that nearby CCTV cameras be preserved as evidence and that a post-mortem of the remains, including flesh, skull and bones, be conducted. I further request a thorough investigation and strict legal action against the culprits.”

In a separate incident on September 7, Paramjeet, alias Parveen, — a long-time dog feeder in the area — alleged finding the burnt remains of a dog near the same locality.

In a video related to this incident and shared with this correspondent, a severely burnt dog carcass was visible.

In her complaint titled “finding a dead dog,” Parveen wrote, “Today, on September, 7 2025 around 10:30 am, I found the body of a street dog near the Delicia Foods factory. CCTV cameras are installed around the factory, and footage may help identify the cause of the incident.”

A spot visit to both sites today revealed that one location was clean, while the other showed patches of burnt fur matching the video evidence. Activists allege that despite these incidents, no FIRs have been registered and no action has been taken by the authorities.

Responding to this correspondent’s queries with regard to the two cases over WhatsApp, Bhisham Singh, DCP North-West, said, “The Crime Team conducted inspections, photography and videography at the scene. Statements from local residents did not raise suspicion. The carcass was preserved and sent for post-mortem at the Animal Hospital, Prahladpur. The veterinary report confirmed that, due to advanced decomposition, the cause of death could not be determined. No foul play has been detected, and no cognisable offence is made out.”

Regarding the burning incident, he said, “The carcass was sent the same day for post-mortem examination at the Animal Hospital, Prahladpur, Bawana Road. As per the initial verbal opinion of the veterinary doctor, no signs of burning were observed. The final post-mortem report is awaited.”

On concerns over CCTV footage from the locations in question not being shared, activists alleged that the police said the footage could only be reviewed if foul play was established. DC Singh said the police were yet to review the CCTV footage of the area.

Prof Kulwinder Singh, a Patiala-based animal rights activist who works closely with Delhi-based groups, said, “The current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is very weak. Securing bail under the law is very easy. Killing of animals must be made a non-bailable offence. At present, the police does not lodge an FIR.”

“In the instant case in Delhi’s Keshav Puram, no FIR has been lodged even after the passing of so many days since August 16 when the complaint was made. Time has come to change the law,” added Singh who closely works with animal rights activists in Delhi.