A man in Shivamogga district, Karnataka, has been booked by police after he allegedly shot and killed a stray dog using an unlicensed firearm on Thursday, 28 August, following repeated confrontations between the animal and his pet dogs. The accused, identified as Lingamurthy, a resident of Nadavalli village, fired at the stray dog after it allegedly bit one of his pets, officials confirmed on Friday.

How the Incident Unfolded

According to police, a man named Borappa was leading cattle past Lingamurthy's residence toward grazing land outside the village when a male stray dog, reportedly following the cattle, came close to the property. Lingamurthy's pet dogs had a history of barking at and fighting with this particular stray whenever it approached. On this occasion, the stray allegedly bit one of Lingamurthy's pets.

Angered by the attack, Lingamurthy reportedly stepped out of his home carrying an unlicensed firearm and opened fire at the stray dog. The animal sustained gunshot injuries to its back and thigh and died on the spot.

Charges Filed Against the Accused

The Anandapura Police, under whose jurisdiction Nadavalli village falls, registered a case against Lingamurthy under provisions of the animal cruelty law, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Arms Act. Investigators are working to determine how the accused came to possess the firearm and whether he held any valid licence or authorisation for it.

Police stressed that discharging a weapon in a residential setting poses a direct risk to public safety, regardless of the circumstances that prompted it. 'Individuals cannot take the law into their own hands, particularly by using unauthorised weapons,' officials noted.

Broader Concerns Over Stray Animal Disputes

The episode has renewed attention on how communities in Karnataka — and across India — handle conflicts involving stray animals. Stray dog attacks on pets and livestock are a recurring grievance in rural and semi-urban areas, yet the law does not permit private citizens to use lethal force, let alone unlicensed firearms, against animals. This is not an isolated incident; similar cases of vigilante action against strays have been reported in multiple states in recent years.

Animal welfare advocates argue that the absence of systematic stray dog management — sterilisation, vaccination, and shelter programmes — leaves residents feeling they have no recourse, sometimes leading to extralegal responses. Critics also note that the use of unlicensed guns in such disputes compounds the danger, turning a local animal conflict into a potential public safety crisis.

Investigation Status

The Anandapura Police are continuing their inquiry into the source of the firearm, the exact sequence of events, and the full circumstances leading up to the shooting. Further action against the accused will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.