Woman Arrested in Connection with Dog’s Unnatural Death in Mankulam
A 48-year-old woman from Mankulam has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the unnatural death of a dog.
Police Media Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent of Police K. Buddhika Manathunga, confirmed the arrest and the death of the animal.
The incident gained public attention after photographs of the dog were widely shared on social media, sparking outrage. The images depicted the dog’s body propped on its hindquarters against a tree, with a thick rope fashioned into a noose nearby. Media reports suggested that the dog was hanged following a dispute between two neighbors after the dog allegedly bit a goat belonging to one of them. The matter had reportedly been brought before the Oddusuddan Mediation Board in Mullaitivu.
However, Manathunga clarified that contrary to some reports, the Mediation Board did not order the dog to be killed. Instead, it advised the dog’s owners to “raise it properly.”
Suspect Arrested
Mankulam Police initiated an investigation into the incident, leading to the arrest of the suspect, who is expected to be produced before court under the Penal Code.
The cause of death (COD) of the dog has not been officially confirmed. Officer-In-Charge of the Mankulam Police Station, Neil S. Kirinde, stated that no comment could be made until the pathologist’s report is released. He noted that the dog died on 25 January and the COD remains under investigation.
The Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC), which brought the incident to the attention of the Justice Minister in writing, claimed that the dog’s death was caused by hanging. AWC Executive Committee Member and veterinary surgeon Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara stated this conclusion was drawn from photographs of the deceased animal, particularly the white coloration of its eyes, which suggested death by hanging within an hour.
The circulating photographs, reportedly taken at night, show the dog’s eyes as pure white. It remains unclear whether this coloration is due to the cause of death or a camera effect caused by flash photography in the dark.
When questioned about other possible causes of death, such as being kept in a stress position or starvation, the AWC denied such possibilities.
