In an unfortunate incident on January 9, a seven-year-old girl sustained over 15 injuries after being reportedly attacked by a neighbour’s American Bully dog in Rohini’s Sector-25 area, as confirmed by the police on Tuesday. The distressing episode took place within the confines of her housing society while she was engrossed in play with her friends.
The father of the young victim, Shrikant Bhagat, recounted the terrifying event, detailing the multiple severe injuries inflicted upon his daughter’s hand, back, behind her ear, leg, and under her eyes. Expressing gratitude that the girl bravely fought back by screaming, he emphasized the crucial timing that allowed them to intervene and save her life.
The traumatized child, unable to sleep for more than three days, now grapples with the aftermath of the distressing encounter. Mr. Bhagat revealed their decision to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the dog owner, citing the absence of a leash on the American Bully during the incident.
Concerned about their daughter’s well-being, the family plans to take her on a vacation to help her recover from the traumatic experience. Simultaneously, residents of the society where the incident occurred organized a torch march to protest against the perceived dog menace in their locality. Slogans such as “stop feeding stray dogs” and “dog lovers be aware, the lives of children are in danger” echoed through the protest.
Acknowledging that they are not against the idea of owning pets or feeding dogs, the protesters emphasized the need for pet owners to recognize the potential danger their animals may pose to children.
Law enforcement has responded by registering a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animals) and 337 (causing hurt to a person by rash or negligent acts endangering human life or safety). This incident underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and the potential risks associated with unleashed animals in residential areas.
