BENGALURU: Private firm employee Muniraju, 68, and his three alleged killers - pet parents Ravi Kumar, 38, and Pallavi, 28, and dog breeder and trainer Pramod - shared an acrimonious relationship for over one year, police said.
The accused had assaulted Muniraju on Saturday after he objected to their dogs pooping in front of his house. Pramod lives two houses away from Muniraju's in Ganapatinagar, Soladevanahalli. Ravi Kumar is Pramod's next-door neighbour. Ravikumar was dabbling in dog training along with Pramod.
"Ravi Kumar and Muniraju's son Murali had fought after a car sold by the latter to the former's friend last year was seized by a bank over non-payment of loan. Since then, there was enmity between the two. Muniraju would often criticise Ravikumar for letting his pet poop near his house. The argument reached a new height on Saturday," an investigating officer said.
On March 30, Muniraju had complained to police about the couple's dog defecating in front of his house, and Ravi Kumar and Pramod smoking and speaking loudly. Police had summoned the trio, who were made to give an undertaking not to repeat such things.
According to police, Muniraju was not at home on Saturday afternoon when he received a call from his family members that Ravi Kumar, his wife and Pramod were creating a ruckus in front of their house.
He rushed home and questioned the trio. Pramod allegedly rushed into a shop, pulled out a cricket bat and returned to assault Muniraju. Ravi Kumar and Pallavi allegedly encouraged Pramod to bash up Muniraju, cops said.
This is the first fatality due to a pet dog-related clash in Bengaluru in recent weeks. Four brothers were arrested for attacking a techie couple in Electronics City after the latter allowed their pet to poop on a vacant land adjacent to the siblings' house. One of them questioned the couple, and in reply, the couple asked him what was wrong in letting the dog defecate on a vacant land.
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