Bolpur, March 30: An evening walk with his dog usually ended with a cup of tea at home for Shankha Shuvra Sarkar. Yesterday, it ended in jail.

Businessman Shankha Shuvra was arrested in Birbhum’s Sural village yesterday for shooting a dog belonging to a distant relative.

Shankha Shuvra, accompanied by his wife and two children, had taken his dog for a walk when four-year-old Jerry, a crossbreed between a Labrador and a mongrel, sneaked out of Amartya Sarkar’s house and started barking .

At this, Shankha Shuvra’s dog lunged forward and the chain slipped out of his master’s grip. “The two dogs started growling and clawing at each other,” a police officer said.

The businessman tried to control the dogs but failed. “He then took out his licensed revolver and shot Jerry,” added the officer.

Shankha Shuvra was arrested under provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. He was produced in the additional chief judicial magistrate court today and released on bail.

The police officer said that if found guilty, he could get be jailed for three months.

“Shankha Shuvra Sarkar fired from his licensed revolver. We are yet to find out why he was carrying it while on a walk. We received a complaint from Amartya Sarkar last night and arrested Shankha Shuvra,” said the officer.

Last evening, there was a puja at Amartya’s house. So, nobody noticed when Jerry sneaked out of his kennel.

“We don’t always keep Jerry chained. Last evening, we were busy with the puja and we did not notice him going out,” said Anima Sarkar, Amartya’s sister.

Anima said it was “surprising” that someone who had a pet dog could think of killing another dog.

“This is very unfortunate. He could not control his own dog and killed ours. We were all very fond of Jerry and we feel shattered at the way Jerry’s life ended,” said Anima.

Shankha Shuvra and his family refused comment.