A cruel pet owner has been arrested after allegedly burning his dog Sherlock in a suspected ritual.
Prosecutors say Iván Camilo Vallejo Bastidas lit a bonfire on the terrace of his home and lured the dog towards it using food.
The blackened body of Sherlock was later found among the ashes, as reported by Need To Know.
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Authorities say Vallejo reportedly sacrificed the dog on Saturday (13 Sept) as part of a ritual.
Once identified, he was swiftly arrested and is now being held on remand in a correctional facility.
Prosecutors in Pasto, western Colombia, have charged him with aggravated animal homicide.
He reportedly rejects the charge, but prosecutors insist the evidence shows he prepared the bonfire with the sole purpose of burning Sherlock.
Animal and environmental protection group Plataforma Alto said there had been prior “warnings to protect Sherlock, but no action was taken”.
The group added: “The public is demanding that he not be released, as has happened in similar cases recently.
“No more impunity.”
Details of the alleged ritual remain unknown.
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