Berhampur: Three women security guards and a peon of Odisha's Berhampur University were suspended after it was found that they allegedly tortured stray dogson the campus.

The incident came to light when a local Bajrang Dal leader was tipped off by an informant that several stray dogs were tied and tortured near the women's hostel building within the university, The New Indian Express (TNIE) said in a report. The Bajrang Dal leader went to the university along with Ronali Panigrahy, the president of the Berhampur Animal Protection Association. When they arrived on the scene, the duo found 12 stray dogs with their limbs tied, the news report said.

When questioned, the university security staff on duty said they were forced to tie up the canines as they were causing a nuisance with their frequent barks. After the animals were freed, Panigrahy reportedly alerted the university of the development and sought action against the responsible.

Berhampur University formed a three-member committee to look into the matter and submitted a report before Vice Chancellor Gitanjali Dash, the news report said. A peon and three women security guards of the hostel were then suspended by the VC based on the findings of the committee.

Meanwhile, in a suspected case of poisoning, several strays were found dead in Chalakudy of Kerala's Thrissur district. Portions of a cake that is believed to be consumed by the dogs were found near the carcasses, strengthening the theory that the animals were poisoned. They were found dead on the premises of Chalakudy taluk hospital. Kerala had approached the Supreme Court seeking to permit euthanasia or culling of violent stray dogs, in particular, dogs suspected of having contracted rabies.