Builder, Associates Booked After Pet Dog Allegedly Dies Following Demolition of Shelter in Pune
Baner, 24th July 2026: Baner Police have registered a criminal case against a Pune-based builder, several of his associates, a JCB operator and another unidentified individual after a pet dog allegedly died from heatstroke when its shelter was demolished at an animal care centre in Baner.
The FIR was lodged on July 23 following a complaint filed by Sandeep Mahadev Swami, who runs an animal care facility on Baner–Pashan Link Road that provides services including pet boarding, bird training, dog grooming and animal care.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on April 30. Swami stated that he had left the centre after making arrangements for food and water for the animals housed there. During his absence, a JCB machine allegedly demolished an animal enclosure and cut down a babul tree that had been providing shade to the shelter.
When Swami returned later that evening, he claimed to have found his female pet dog, Goldie, tied to an iron mesh inside the damaged enclosure without any protection from the scorching heat. He alleged that the dog had remained exposed to high temperatures for several hours.
Goldie was reportedly found unconscious and immediately taken for veterinary treatment. Despite medical intervention, including medication and injections, the dog died on May 2. According to the complaint, a veterinary certificate attributed the animal’s death to heatstroke.
The complainant further alleged that he was threatened when he confronted those responsible for the demolition.
Based on the complaint, Baner Police have booked Kailash Wani, Chairman of Samarth Group, along with Kaivalya Wani, Shivraj Kedari, Abhijit Kedari, Abhishek Kedari, Sangameshwar Wale, a JCB operator and one unidentified person.
The case has been registered under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 3(5), 324(1), 325 and 351(1).
Assistant Police Inspector Balaji Sanap of Baner Police Station is investigating the case further.
