Rajarhat complex dog bite case divides city housing societies
Times of India | 10 April 2025
12 Kolkata: The debate over pet safety and responsibilities at housing complexes has surfaced again in Kolkata following an incident last week where a pet pitbull — a dog banned by the central govt — allegedly bit and scratched a four-year-old girl at a gated complex in Rajarhat, leaving the child with grievous injuries on her neck and legs.
The incident occurred at Urban Greens complex on Rajarhat Main Road on April 4. The child, who underwent a tonsil and adenoid surgery last month, suffered gashes and bites on her neck, close to the point of surgery, and is still in pain and shocked. The child's mother registered a police complaint, and Baguiati police have started a case under BNS sections dealing with negligent conduct with respect to an animal in someone's possession, acts that endanger the safety or life of others, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, and wrongful restraint.
"We have sent a notice to the pet owner to meet us at the PS. The child's injuries are serious, and it is illegal to keep a pitbull as a pet," said an officer. The pitbull was identified as one of 23 "ferocious" dog breeds considered a "threat to human life" by the Centre in March last year, and there is a ban on their import, sale, and breeding.
"We were waiting outside the lift. As the door opened, the dog jumped on my daughter and bit her around the neck, right next to where she had surgery. The doctor said the injury was grievous and could have been life-threatening. I am a pet lover and grew up with dogs. But in this case, the owner was extremely careless, which led to the incident," the child's mother said. Sources said the dog owner claimed in a meeting called by the RWA that the dog didn't attack the child but made a playful bite and scratched her.
TOI tried to reach the RWA, who refused to speak on the issue. A resident, however, said the RWA has certain pet rules in place, like keeping them on a leash and forcing them to wear muzzles. But seldom do any of the pet owners follow them.
RWA representatives of other complexes, like Manav Mehra, president of Siddha Pines in Rajarhat, said pet safety and responsibility are major points of dispute. Manoj Gupta of South City said there is a divide between animal lovers and those against them.