KOLKATA: A four-year-old boy headed to Malaysia for a holiday with his family on Aug 12 was attacked by a Customs dog at Kolkata airport resulting in deep scratches on his back and leading to his hospitalisation. The family had to scuttle its trip and on Aug 19 lodged an FIR with NSCBI airport police station against the dog handler.
The child, Anav Jain, is now undergoing a treatment protocol that requires five doses of immunisation administered over 28 days.
The dog, a four-year-old female Alsatian named Nancy, was trained for narcotics detection at the Customs Canine Centre at Attari, airport sources said. Customs officials, when contacted, did not comment.
"My four-year-old son fell victim to a vicious attack by a Customs department dog named Nancy while we were en route to departure Gate 4A & 48 for our flight to Malaysa. The incompetent dog handler failed to control the dog, resulting in an unprovoked and 'severe-category' injury to my child," Rounak Jain, a businessman, said in the FIR.
The child's father, Rounak Jain, alleged that despite their cries for help, the dog handler "deserted his post and absconded with the dog, leaving us to deal with the traumatic aftermath alone".
Jain claimed the airport authorities displayed "a shocking lack of empathy and urgency" and only sprang into action when Anav's condition deteriorated. "The airport doctor downplayed the severity of the dog bite, when it was evident that my child required immediate medical attention," the FIR said. He added that the family's request for CCTV footage was denied.
Bidhannagar cops said they have registered an FIR against the handler under a BNS section punishable by six months in jail or a fine of Rs 500, or both.
Airport authorities said they are investigating the claims.
Jain said they took Anav to a private hospital in New Town, where he underwent overnight treatment and follow-ups for a week. The child's uncle, Roshan, said the family entered the airport together for their Malaysia and Singapore trip. "Anav was so happy and we clicked his photo. Moments later, he was attacked by the dog. For 15 minutes we received no help till CISF personnel fetched the airport doctor. The doctor, shockingly, asked us to continue with the trip," Roshan told TOI.
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