Unable to bear the death of her dog, a 33-year old housewife committed self-immolation near Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu on Friday, police said.

Murugalakshmi, who bought the dog when she got married 12 years ago, had showered all her affection on it, as she was childless, they said.

After Murugalakshmi took the extreme step less than 24 hours after the dog died, she was admitted to the Srivilliputhur Government Hospital.

Later she was taken to the Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital, where she died, the police added.