The petitioners A1 to A4 are the accused in C.C. No. 114 of 1993 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate, Nanguneri. They were convicted for the offence punishable under section 429 of the IPC and were sentenced to pay a sum of Rs. 2,500/- each and in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three months. They filed an appeal in C.A. No. 4/94 on the file of the learned Addl. Session Judge, Tirunelveli who in turn confirmed the judgment of the trial Court. Hence this revision.

2. The facts are as follows :

On 16-9-1992 at about 1-30 mid night, in a garden which belong to the Sivalinga Nadar Kizpandaram, the ships were kept in an enclosure and at that time, 4 dogs which belong to the petitioner entered into the garden and indiscriminately bite the goats. As a result of this, 28 goats died and 19 goats sustained serious injuries. The loss occurred to the owners of the goats was to the tune of Rs. 17,000/-. On the complaint of the owner of the goats, a case was registered against the petitioners by the police. After investigation, the Investigating Officer filed a charge sheet against the petitioners for the offence punishable under sections 427 and 429 of the IPC.

3. On