A top Indian forestry official is facing animal cruelty charges after he used a pet dog as bait to help trap a man-eating leopard.
Prem Kumar, a government forestry officer in Almora, a hill station in Uttararakhand in the Himalayan foothills, decided to use a local dog as bait after two local women were killed in leopard attacks.
His actions were criticised by the campaign group People for Animals which said it amounted to cruelty because the animals used for bait are often killed by leopards who rip their through the bars with such force that their heads are often snapped. They claimed he had 'kidnapped' a local village pet dog and kept it in a cage to entice one of two maneaters on the prowl in and around the village.
Mr Kumar has admitted the allegations and said he is prepared to face the consequences.
"The dog was used to attract the leopards who have wreaked havoc in the area in the last few weeks. The animal rights groups had asked me to ensure the safety of the dog and we have successfully trapped one of the man-eaters. The dog is safe and has been returned to the villagers. We are now looking for the other man-eater," he said.
"I had no intention to hurt the dog and I have been asked to explain my position by the department," he added.
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