WATCH: (Scroll Down For Video) Animal rights activists have been left outraged after two pigeons were launched into the air inside a firework as part of a welcome gesture for an Indian politician.
Footage shows men stuffing the birds in to a rocket before the ceremony in the West Godavari district of Hyderabad in southern India.
Another man can then be seen lighting a fuse on the 6ft firework before it shoots into the sky as part of moves to mark the arrival of the President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee.
According to the Independent there were early reports that the birds had been killed during the stunt on Sunday, but police later claimed that they had managed to fly off unharmed.
An investigation has been launched and officers are examining the footage. The Times of India says animal rights campaigners have been angered by the incident.
Kovvur Town Police Inspector Prasad Rao told Indian Express: ‘The newspaper cones carrying the pigeons detached when the rockets exploded in the sky and they flew off but it definitely is cruelty towards the birds.
‘Some people claimed that the birds died but we checked videos taken on mobile phones which show that the birds were unharmed and flew away.
‘We have registered a case against Baig and two of his supporters who have been identified under various sections of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.’
