KATHMANDU, JUNE 17

Dikshant Morohang Limbu, 21, Sangam Limbu, 17, and Ashok Limbu, 17, of Deumai Municipality 9, Jitpur, Ilam, were arrested today by the District Police Office, Ilam, for cold-bloodedly murdering a puppy and posting it on social media.

On June 14, three of them took a helpless puppy into the jungle and hammered its head with a stick. They did not limit their cruelty to that. They recorded each step so that they could share it on social media. Later, they upload it to their social media accounts, transforming it into a meme video with a cruel voiceover that can be heard as they describe how they killed the puppy.

This video went viral in no time, grabbing numerous netizens attention. The Federation of Animal Welfare Nepal (FAWN) also discovered the disturbing and inhumane act depicted in the video.

Sneha Shrestha, president of FAWN, told THT that it is not acceptable at any cost. 'We have spent all of our time investigating this incident since we received the video. FAWN has worked on this really hard and sent our representative to Ilam to ensure that the culprit gets what he deserves. Finally, with the assistance of District Police Ilam, the culprits were apprehended today,' she said.

According to Shrestha, in response to a complaint filed by FAWN at the District Police Office in Ilam under 'Offenses Related to Animals and Birds,' a video posted on the social media page 'Bhoot Pret' on June 14 depicted a dog being cruelly beaten with a stick and buried in a pit.

The District Police Office of Ilam and subordinate police conducted an investigation and arrested Dikshant Morohang Limbu, 21, Sangam Limbu, 17, and Ashok Limbu, 17, from Deumai Municipality, Jitpur, Ilam, in connection with the cold-blooded murder of a puppy and its subsequent sharing on social media.

Prior to this, Irfan Khan's (another person fighting for justice for the poor puppy) younger brother had a conversation with an arrested boy. However, he boasted and showed a Khukuri during a video call to him, threatening to harm/kill him.

Similarly, Subash Shrestha commented on a post shared by FAWN, 'Srijana Didi had a conversation with this boy, and he boasted that he had already killed a friend of his a few months back too.'

On the other hand, Irfan Khan took to social media, expressing his happiness over the arrest of the accused. 'This Eid, I am here with a special Eidi for all of you. I am pleased to announce that all three culprits have been successfully arrested by the district police of Illam,' reads his post. 'They attempted to flee, but our diligent officers managed to catch and arrest them. These individuals will face the necessary legal consequences as prescribed by the law.'

'The journey to their capture was not easy. It took me three sleepless nights of relentless effort and determination to ensure their arrest. Now, I can finally rest peacefully, knowing that justice has been served. This Eid, we can all celebrate with a sense of security and satisfaction. Eid Mubarak, everyone,' it read further.

However, Sneha Shrestha, who is also the founder of Sneha Care, expressed her worry over there not being any concrete law for proper justice against animal cruelty or for animal welfare.

According to her, Article 290 of the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017 stipulates punishment and provisions related to Prohibition of cruel treatment to animals and birds.

'No person shall subject any animal or bird to torture by beating or hitting it, or by causing it to carry a load beyond its capacity or by causing it to walk or run beyond its ability or by engaging it in work if it is unable to work because of illness, wound or Khatira, or any other cause, or by feeding it harmful substance or in any other manner whatsoever or leave publicly any animal or bird which he or she has grown up because of its being ill or aged or otherwise treat it cruelly or mercilessly,' states the provision.

The culprit is liable to a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding five thousand rupees, or both the sentences. 'Which requires serious amendments as the number of acts of cruelty against animals is surging,' Shrestha told THT.