DAVANAGERE: Adding to its long list of achievements, police sniffer dog Tunga has helped crack yet another rape and murder case.
Last week, Geethamma, a resident of Thimlapura village in Honnali taluk, was found raped and murdered in her house. While the police initially suspected the husband, Tunga led them to the house of Harish, the accused, who used to work for Geethamma and her husband Chinnappa (60).
Superintendent of Police C B Ryshayanth said that around 8 pm on June 23, they got information about Geethamma’s (30) murder. “We have arrested Harish (32) and registered a case for rape and murder. Geethamma’s husband Chinnappa runs a goods vehicle and when he had gone out, Harish entered the house and sexually assaulted her. He then pushed and she sustained head injuries due to which she died”, he said.
Tunga, a Doberman, has cracked over 70 cases so far and has a string of awards. In one murder case, the dog traced the scent for as far as 16 km.
The SP said, “Tunga was born on August 19, 2009. She underwent training for 11 months and was commissioned into service 2010. In the 12 years of her service, she has solved 70 murder cases 35 theft cases. In many cases, she has also given us leads. Among the the cases that Tunga has detected, two of the accused have been given death sentence and four have been awarded life terms. She and her handler have also got many appreciation letters apart form the numerous awards.”