On April 9, Friday evening, a disparate kind of video went viral on Social Media. It was a video of a dog being brutally killed. The incident took place at Buddha Park, next to the entrance of Kathmandu University from Kavrepalanchok. The footage includes killing a dog – called Khaire – by hanging it on a public pole – where two men are seen beating the dog on the head with sticks, spades, and shovels.
After the scene went viral, animal rights activists appealed to everyone to join over a protest on Buddha Park. The very next day, people – including activists – gathered for justice for Khaire. As per the same call, about two dozen people, including representatives from Kathmandu and some other individuals and organizations, gathered in Banepa on Saturday afternoon. They took the local Police to that area. There were clashes, the brawl between the locals and activists for almost a day.
Shree Animal Rescue chairperson Srijana Thakuri, who was part of the team, said that “The situation had turned tense even though I went to the spot to spread awareness among the people that people should not kill dogs; mercilessly.” Further, she added, “there was a standoff between the rights activists and the locals after the locals protested that they had come to commit such hooliganism even in the general issue of killing a dog.”
Moreover, if they had not taken the Police, there would have been a scuffle, Thakuri told. The tape of the dog’s brutal killing was taken by a student of Kathmandu University from the window of his house and posted on social media, which has now been removed after the incident escalated. It is believed that he posted the video on Facebook only two weeks after the incident.
There was a scuffle between the activists and the locals for four hours. Rights activists have filed a petition at the Kavrepalanchok District Police Office, Dhulikhel, demanding action against the local Netra Tamang – who is suspected of killing the dog. Subash Shrestha, an activist, said a debate happened in the police office about whether to allow or not to file the application.
According to him, about two dozen animal rights activists were abused by nearly four dozen locals. They said that they were being threatened, misbehaved – and the locals used offensive words too.
DSP Hari Khatiwada of Kavrepalanchok District Police informed that his team has initiated an investigation on this issue after receiving a complaint. However, Khatri said that no one has been arrested in connection with the incident, he said that the locals felt that the incident was publicized because of the involvement of an NGO. Moreover, he admitted that the incident had intensified because the locals considered it normal to kill a dog and escalated when the activists thought of a big issue.
Provision of Law and Outrage over Killing the Dog on Social Media
According to Section 290 of the Criminal Code, A person who commits the offense [act of killing, beating, torturing] shall be liable to a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding five thousand rupees or both sentences.
Also, Section 291 says, no person shall kill any animal or bird in any public place other than a religious place where there is a tradition to offer a sacrifice of an animal or bird.
A Twitter user Kaj Nepali questions Nepal Police saying, “The society has now turned violent. As the law is not enforced, crime is on the rise, and criminals are being encouraged. Isn’t it?
Similarly, Prakriti Bhandari posts an emotional message quoting, “So heart-wrenching. Why are people not [taking it as a serious issue]? He [Khaire] did not even understand us; he could not even talk; they should not have killed him like this. There need to be strict animal laws to be implemented. Today they killed one dog, tomorrow they can kill all.”
However, Samip, 24, a student from Kirtipur, said to the Tribune that “Why the NGOs are only concerned for the killing of a dog, why not other animals. I know the Kavre incident was an act of cruelty, and I strongly against it; however, we should not forget that daily, thousands of Chickens, Pigs, Buffaloes, Goats, and other animals are brutally killed. Why not to talk about them?” He further added, in the Butcher shop, the Goats are killed, prepared, and hanged, and the live ones see them – preparing for their own death. Isn’t it heart-breaking?
The animal welfare campaigners have planned a demonstration on Maitighar Mandala on Wednesday, April 14. They have decided to take action against this serious issue.
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