A repeat offender from Chennai has been arrested after he was accused by an animals rights activist and local residents of sexually assaulting puppies.

The accused has been identified as 30-year-old Bhaskar from Chennai’s Madhavaram. Residents of the area found him sexually assaulting puppies in Mathur’s MMDA colony before he fled from the spot. “On Thursday, the man was seen again abusing the puppies and when the residents scolded him, he again fled. After they informed me, we retrieved the video and lodged a complaint with the police,” Sai Vignesh, the activist from Chennai said.

The accused was arrested on Wednesday and booked under section 294 of the Indian Penal Code. An FIR was reportedly filed after consultation with legal experts. CCTV footage of the man’s act is being gathered as evidence to be produced against him in court.