The Madras High Court quashed criminal proceedings against a man accused of cruelty to an animal after allegedly throwing a stone at a dog that had bitten him. In Balaji v. State rep. by Inspector of Police, Peerkankaranai Police Station & Anr., the petitioner alleged that a neighbour's dog had bitten his leg while he was walking on the street. A counter-complaint was registered alleging that the petitioner had injured the dog by pelting it with a stone. The Court noted that the alleged offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was non-cognizable and therefore required prior permission from the jurisdictional Magistrate under Section 174(2) BNSS before police could register and investigate the case. No such permission had been obtained. The Court also found no supporting evidence showing that the dog had actually suffered injury, whereas the petitioner's version concerning the dog bite was supported by medical records and photographs. Considering the procedural defect, absence of evidence and apparent counterblast nature of the complaint, the Court held that continuation of proceedings would amount to abuse of process and quashed the case.