‘Sonu’, the trained police dog who helped solve a murder, receives a pat from the Kadapa district police officials on Thursday.
Police dog ‘Sonu’ played a pivotal role in finding the accused in a murder that took place in Kadapa city on December 11 evening.
According the police, Vallepu Venkaiah alias Venkat was found dead at NGO plots in Swaraj Nagar on December 11, and based on the complaint by his mother Vallepu Subbamma, a case was registered at RIMS Police Station.
When the dog squad was pressed into service, Sonu reached the crime scene and went on the trail of the accused, significantly contributing to the rapid arrest of the accused.
On coming to know of Sonu moving around his residence, the accused, identified as Arun Kumar, and a juvenile reportedly involved in the case surrendered before the police through the Village Revenue Officer on December 17.
Arun was produced before a court, which remanded him in judicial custody. The minor was sent to a juvenile home. Material objects and electronic evidence like mobile phones, photographs have been forwarded for forensic examination.
Soured friendship
Childhood friends Arun and Venkat turned into enemies after Arun failed to repay some money that Venkat had arranged for him by mortgaging his motorcycle. After Venkat hurled abuses at Arun’s family members, the latter nursed a grudge. He got him drunk and then hit him on his head with cement blocks, according to the police.
The canine detective
Sonu was recently inducted into the district police dog squad at Mangalagiri headquarters, on completion of the dual training on detecting explosives as well as criminals. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Kadapa) A. Venkateswarlu called Sonu “a proven asset” and gave him a pat on its back, telling him: “Well done Sonu”.
Published – December 18, 2025 08:41 pm IST
