MUMBAI: An
FIR
was lodged against a watchman of Shivam cooperative housing society in
Vile Parle
(west) on Tuesday for beating an old and disabled dog inside the housing complex, leading to its death.
Social worker and animal lover,
Mitul Pradeep
, who is the daughter of the legendary Indian poet,
Kavi Pradeep, told TOI: "Today I lodged the FIR against the watchman,
N Thakur
, at
Juhu
Police station for animal cruelty. The accused watchman had beaten the disabled dog, fondly called
Langdu
, a few days ago, which was also witnessed by a few persons including the film music composer, Uday Mazumdar. I went to the police station along with Majumdar to lodge the FIR."
Eyewitness to this brutality, Mazumdar, said: "I was present in an adjoining building over a fortnight ago, when I saw the watchman beating the old dog who had been living inside the building compound for many years. I rushed down to the spot to rescue the dog, Langdu, and medically treat it. Unfortunately, after a painful struggle, Langdu passed away a week ago. Hence, we decided to go ahead and lodged a case against the watchman."
Mitul Pradeep added: "It is illegal and cruel to dislodge or harm any local community dog who has been living for years inside a society. Langdu had deformed forelimbs since his birth, but he was a friendly and loving dog. We will also hold a candlelight vigil for Langdu opposite Shivam society this Sunday, November 24."
Juhu police has registered the FIR under IPC sections 428, 429 and section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Animal activists have once again raised the issue of strengthening the PCA Act, so that the offenders do not easily get away by injuring or killing animals.
"The housing societies must also understand the
animal rights
law which clearly states that it is illegal to remove any local community dog or cat from its premises if they are living there since birth. Sterilization is the only legal option to reduce the numbers of local community animals," said animal activist and honorary wildlife warden, Sunish Subramanian.