More than a week after several Siberian Huskies and a German Shepherd were found abandoned in Hyderabad outskirts, the Sangareddy Police on Thursday arrested four individuals involved in the crime.

The accused have been dentified as 50-year-old Neethipudi Satyanarayana alias Mojesh and 55-year-old Vandaluri Sudheer Babu, caretakers of the dog at Calvary Temple; and drivers 44-year-old Madda Sundar Singh and 52-year-old Sapati Annavaram Satyanarayana.

The incident came to light on April 29 after a complaint was lodged by the animal welfare organisations at the BDL Bhanur police station alleging that over 30 dogs were abandoned on the Shankarpally–Patancheru road. A case was booked under Section 325 (mischief by killing or maiming animal) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 11(1)(i) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The dogs were found abandoned near Oxygen County and Keshavanagar Venture in Sangareddy district.

District Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj said the accused abandoned the dogs because they had grown older and there was insufficient space to maintain them. The Huskies, a breed suited to colder climates, were left in severe summer heat conditions, resulting in the death of one dog and leaving the remaining animals in critical condition.

So far 12 dogs have been rescued by volunteers from Animal Shelter for Rescue Aid (AASRA) and Shakuntala Society for Animal Welfare and Nature (SWAN), including the one that died hours after the rescue due to dehydration.

The vehicle used in the offence was identified through CCTV footage and technical evidence and was later seized near Calvary Temple in Miyapur, where the accused were arrested.

The dogs are currently under care with SWAN and will be put up for adoption after their condition improves.

Meanwhile, officials said that a letter has been sent to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials seeking details regarding the licence held by the Calvary Temple management for dog breeding and maintenance activities.