‘Cop’ accused of killing, injuring kittens

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a disturbing incident, a man, who claimed to be a police officer, has been accused of killing and injuring kittens of a stray cat.

The issue was brought before the law by a 29-year-old woman and her family, who alleged that they were threatened by the man for moving legally over the alleged the incident.

The accused Shiju, lives on the ground floor of the house where the complainant resides with her family on the first floor.

As per the complaint, when a stray cat that lived around the house gave birth in January, Shiju took away all the kittens and they were not to be found again. In April, the cat gave birth to four kittens and they were allegedly killed by the accused.

“So, we provided the cat a shelter during its third pregnancy,” said the complainant.

“On September 28, it gave birth to four kittens and they were safe till December 21 inside our house. After they grew a little, the kittens moved out through the windows. One day I heard a kitten crying loudly and saw the accused trying to strangulate it by pressing it against the window using a cloth,” the complainant added.

On seeing this, the complainant knocked at the door and demanded the kitten back.

“However, he asked me for the certificate to prove it was my kitten and shut the door on my face. We have not seen the kitten after that,” said the complainant.

Following this, the woman filed a complaint against him and Pettah police registered a case under section 429 of IPC for maiming or killing an animal and section 11 (1) (I) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act-1960.

However, the accused filed a complaint against the complainant alleging criminal trespass to his house.

Interestingly, while the accused claims to be a police officer on extended leave, the police are yet to confirm his employment status.

Thepolice are investigating the allegations.