A quiet village in Maharashtra’s Nashik district is reeling from a disturbing case of mass animal poisoning. In Lohoner village, 21 stray dogs and 2 cats were allegedly poisoned, in what police believe was a deliberate, premeditated act rather than an isolated accident.
The animals were found dead in areas near the Balaji temple and the Bank of Maharashtra, locations where the strays were known to gather and where locals routinely fed and looked after them.
The Alleged Modus Operandi
According to the police investigation, the method behind the poisoning was calculated. The accused reportedly purchased raw chicken from a local butcher and laced it with toxic pesticides bought from a nearby shop, before scattering the poisoned meat in areas frequented by the strays.
Investigators believe this wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment act. Sourcing meat specifically to bait the animals, then mixing it with a lethal pesticide, points to intent, a detail that is expected to weigh heavily as the case moves forward.
How the Deaths Were Discovered
The carcasses were first discovered on August 13 by Kantilal Salunkhe, a local sanitation worker who came across the animals while going about his routine duties.
Unaware of the legal procedures required in cases of suspected animal cruelty, Salunkhe used a JCB machine to bury 20 dogs and 2 cats in a pit near the Amrutdham ground. While the intention was likely just to clear the site, the improper disposal has complicated the evidence trail that investigators would otherwise have had access to.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Deola police, led by Inspector Sarthak Nehete along with Assistant Inspector Vinay Devre and Constable Suresh Korade, visited the scene once the incident was reported. During their inspection, officers found another dog still alive but visibly collapsing, showing clear symptoms consistent with poisoning.
The surviving dog was rushed to the Deola veterinary hospital, where officials are conducting a postmortem examination and collecting samples. These samples are expected to play a key role in confirming the exact toxic substance used and strengthening the case against the accused.
Suspects Booked, FIR Registered
Police have named two local residents, Ramesh Ahire and Mukesh, also known locally as Papa Pardeshi, as the accused in the case.
An FIR was formally registered on August 14, invoking provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Maharashtra Police Act. The combination of these three legal frameworks signals that authorities are treating the incident with real seriousness, covering both the criminal act itself and the specific cruelty inflicted on the animals.
Why This Case Matters
Mass poisoning cases like this one in Lohoner are a grim reminder of how vulnerable community dogs and cats remain, even in areas where locals actively feed and care for them. Unlike isolated cruelty incidents, a coordinated poisoning targeting more than 20 animals at once raises serious concerns about premeditated harm within a community, and about how quickly and safely such cases are handled once discovered.
The improper burial of evidence by a well-meaning but uninformed sanitation worker also highlights a recurring gap in India’s animal welfare response system: the need for clearer public awareness around preserving evidence in suspected cruelty cases, so that investigations aren’t hindered before they’ve even begun.
As the Deola police investigation continues, animal welfare advocates in Nashik and beyond will be watching closely to see whether the postmortem findings and gathered evidence are enough to secure a conviction, and whether this case prompts stronger local vigilance to protect community animals going forward.
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