Calvary Temple staff abandon huskies near Patancheru
PATANCHERU: The mystery behind a group of Siberian huskies being abandoned on a roadside near Nandigama in Patancheru mandal has been solved, police said on Thursday. Investigators found that the dogs were allegedly abandoned by handlers linked to Calvary Temple in Hyder Nagar after they became older and expensive to maintain.
Police said the dogs were transported in an auto trolley and left in an isolated area. One husky later died after failing to withstand the heat and lack of food and water.
CCTV footage leads police to suspects
The incident drew attention after several Siberian huskies were spotted roaming on the roadside near Nandigama. Representatives of Swan, a voluntary organisation, rescued some of the animals. Following a complaint lodged by Harsh, a representative of the organisation, BDL police station registered a case and began an inquiry.
Police examined CCTV camera footage and identified that 11 Siberian huskies and one German Shepherd were brought from a dog shelter run at Calvary Temple in Hyder Nagar and abandoned near Patancheru during the last week of April.
Four arrested, auto trolley seized
Sangareddy Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj said police seized the auto trolley used in the incident and arrested four persons working at the shelter Annavaram Satyanarayana, Neethipudi Satyanarayana, Vandaluri Sudheer Babu and Sundar Singh.
Police said the dogs were abandoned because of the rising cost of maintaining them and their advancing age.
The SP said police had also written to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation seeking details on whether the Calvary Temple shelter had a valid licence to keep and breed dogs.
Siberian huskies, known for their thick coats and appearance, require cold climatic conditions and specialised care. The breed is often maintained by wealthy individuals and institutions because of the high cost involved in their upkeep.
