Burglars poison 20 dogs to loot temple

HOSUR: Unidentified persons looted a temple in a village near here after poisoning 20 dogs that were reared by the villagers to guard the temple.The incident happened on Sunday morning at the Chamundeswari Amman Temple in Thoppula Gunda village near Natrampalli on the Krishnagiri-Vellore border.According to sources, Shankarashivam, the priest, who went to the temple on Sunday morning, was shocked to see the front doors broken open and the gold coins and jewels of the presiding diety missing.  Besides, the temple ‘hundi’ had also been burgled.Shankarashivam then discovered the carcasses of the 20 dogs on the rear side of the temple.  When the villagers checked, they found that the dogs had been poisoned.  They then buried them after performing the rituals.  The dogs had been fed by the villagers and temple authorities to keep watch on the temple.On information, Ambalur police rushed to the spot and conducted investigations.  A search is on for the culprits.  The incident has sent shock waves among the people of Natrampalli region and animal lovers in the district.