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Dog owner lands in police station for failing to rein in pet
A 48-year old garment exporter found himself in the police station on Tuesday for not taking action against his pet German Shepherd that had allegedly attacked the residents of the society he lives in.
A 48-year old garment exporter found himself in the police station on Tuesday for not taking action against his pet German Shepherd that had allegedly attacked the residents of the society he lives in.
Residents of Silver Craft building, near SV Road, Malad, lodged a police complaint to the police that Sharad Jagtap’s pet dog had been creating a nuisance in the society for four months and had bitten residents on at least five occasions.
The latest incident, residents said, occurred on Monday, when the dog attacked the building’s security guard, Tej Bahadur Singh (39).
“I don’t want to work here any more,” said a trembling Singh who was posted at the building only six months ago. “I am scared for my life.”
Subendra Padyachi, one of the residents, said, “ The dog has created terror in the society. We are afraid to step out of our flats for fear that we will be bitten.”
Thirty-two-year-old Ajay Gupta, another resident, said, “We have stopped letting children go down to play in the evening because they are terrified of the dog.”
Jagtap, however, denied the allegations. The garment exporter said that he is being victimised because he brought in transparency in the way the society’s accounts were being managed.
“My dog attacks only when it is provoked,” Jagtap said. “My two-year-old baby is growing up with the dog in the house. He had never attacked her.”
Residents alleged that they had complained to Jagtap repeatedly, but he refused to do anything about it.
“We even brought this to the notice of the Malad police many times in the past, but there was hardly any effort to take action against the dog’s master,” said another resident, who did not want to be identified.
Senior Police Inspector Maruti Rathod said that Jagtap has been booked under section 289 [negligent conduct with respect to an animal] of the Indian Penal Code.
“We have taken the statements of both the parties and they have been asked to approach the court because this is a civil matter,” Rathod added.
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