An 80-year-old ex-serviceman allegedly shot dead a pet dog with an air gun at Mutharam village in Mudigonda mandal of Khammam district on Thursday. The Mudigonda police arrested the accused, identified as Janaiah, on Friday and seized the air gun from him.

According to sources, Janaiah allegedly fired at his neighbour’s pet dog after spotting it entering his house. The dog reportedly succumbed to the injury a short while later.

The pet dog’s owner lodged a complaint against Janaiah at the Mudigonda police station on Thursday.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against Janaiah under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police said.

The accused was arrested and the air gun was seized from his possession on Friday. A panchnama was conducted at the scene of the offence and further investigation is under way.