Community dog feeder hacked to death after argument over bursting firecrackers in Chennai

Image used for representational purposes only | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam A 34-year-old man, an animal lover who took care of the community dogs in his area, was hacked to death following an altercation with a group of men who were bursting firecrackers on a public road in Thiruvottiyur on Monday (November 9, 2026) night.The victim, Pavithran of Kaladipet, had previously worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative. He was known among residents for feeding stray dogs and taking injured animals to veterinary hospitals.According to the police, he was riding his motorcycle along Vanniyar Street to meet a friend on West Mada Street when he noticed a person named Balaji and his friends bursting firecrackers on the road. Some of the crackers reportedly landed on him. He stopped and questioned the group over their conduct, about how recklessly bursting crackers would hurt both humans and animals. This led to an argument.During the altercation, Pavithran allegedly slapped one of Balaji’s friends. Balaji then took out a knife and attacked him. Pavithran abandoned his motorcycle and attempted to escape, but Balaji chased him and hacked him to death, the police said.The Thiruvottiyur police registered a murder case and arrested Balaji, Surya (27) and Kishore (28). Madan (27), another member of the group, sustained injuries to his hands while attempting to intervene. He was admitted to Government Stanley Hospital.Two arrested for assaulting fireworks shop owner in EsplanadeTwo men were arrested for allegedly assaulting a fireworks shop owner in Esplanade after he objected to them bursting firecrackers in front of his shop on November 7.The complainant, Syed Varusai Ibrahim (34), a resident of Seven Wells, runs a wedding invitation shop on Anderson Street, where he was also selling firecrackers for Deepavali.According to the police, two men burst firecrackers in front of his shop while he was attending to business on the night of November 7. When Ibrahim objected, citing the risk of an accident as firecrackers were stocked inside the shop and many people frequented the area, the duo allegedly abused and assaulted him before threatening to kill him and fleeing. Published - November 10, 2026 03:00 pm IST