Two women allegedly assaulted after helping stray puppies in India

Mother and daughter refuse to let authorities take the dogs

The women have been described as animal lovers (File photo)

Two women have allegedly been assaulted after trying to stop officials taking away stray puppies they were looking after.

The mother and daughter from India adopted four dogs, who were only two months old, in Kothrud, a suburb of Pune.

Milind Kale, a 45-year-old who lives in the same area as the women, called the authorities asking them to take the dogs away.

When the women refused, Mr Kale allegedly proceeded to attack them with his shoe, leading to one of the victims losing a tooth.

“The complainant, who is an animal lover, started taking care of four puppies. Yesterday, Kale who lived in the same society, called up the municipal authorities and asked them to take away the puppies," said inspector Radhika Phadake of Kothrud police station, the Times of India reported.

"Officials returned empty handed and an irked Mr Kale then hit both the 20-year-old daughter and her mother with his shoe. The complainant lost a tooth in the scuffle," the inspector added.

Mr Kale has been arrested and, after a court appearance, was remanded in police custody for one day.