Pune: A dispute over feeding stray dogs escalated into a violent attack on a couple in Chaitraban Colony, Upper Bibwewadi, when a woman and a group of five to six youths assaulted them with swords and knives.

The assailants also vandalized the couple’s motorcycle and car, smashing the windows.

The incident took place late Thursday (October 24) night around 11:45 p.m., and Manisha Munna Pandhare, 30, filed a complaint at Bibwewadi Police Station.

The police have since registered a case against Dipali Suresh Dayalu and her accomplices based on the complaint.

According to the police, Manisha had been feeding stray dogs around the Chaitraban Colony, an act that had stirred concerns among the residents as the dogs often entered the society.

An argument had previously erupted between Manisha and Dipali over the issue. On Thursday night, Dipali and five to six youths arrived at Manisha's residence and launched a brutal attack on the couple.

Manisha sustained deep cuts to both arms and her left thigh, while her husband, Munna Pandhare, was struck with iron rods on his neck, shoulder, underarm, knee, and toe.

After the assault, the attackers threw stones at the couple’s parked motorcycle and car, shattering the windows. Police Sub-Inspector Jadhav is leading the investigation into the incident.

Recently, two seperate disturbing incidents of animal cruelty were reported from Parvati and Pirangut areas of Pune. On Sunday (October 20), in Parvati, a person shot at a dog that ran towards him. Fortunately, the bullet missed, and the dog survived unharmed.

In a separate incident on Tuesday (October 22), a young man in Pirangut hanged his pet dog, leading to its death.