Navi Mumbai: A notorious criminal and a local goon, Deepak Balkute (29), recently killed an old stray dog, Sheru, with a sword at Ambedkar Nagar in Ambernath (east), only because the dog happened to bark at him.Balkute was earlier externed from the area by the police, so animal lovers questioned how he could come back to the area and commit crimes. An FIR has been lodged against Balkute at Shivaji Nagar police station for fatally stabbing Sheru on Tuesday. However, police are yet to arrest him.“Sheru was an old and friendly community dog who had lived in the area for many years and was known for never harming anyone. After the attack, we rushed him for medical treatment. He received around 12 stitches, but due to the severity of his injuries and heavy blood loss, Sheru passed away. We want justice for Sheru, and so the police must trace and arrest the criminal,” said animal activist Angelina Kurup.When a youth tried to intervene and questioned the accused about the attack, he was allegedly attacked as well. Balkute was recently seen in the area at night holding a sword to intimidate the local public.Shivaji Nagar police station senior inspector Pramod Patil said the accused allegedly killed the dog with a long knife, following which a case was registered against him. The accused is currently absconding, and police have launched a search to trace him. Patil said police had registered several cases against the accused in the past and that he had also been externed earlier. After his arrest, police will initiate fresh externment proceedings against him, Patil added.
