A Bombay court sentenced Rishab Patel, a 40-year-old Worli resident, to four months of rigorous imprisonment and fined him ₹4,000 after his pet husky bit his neighbour, Ramik Shah, in a building lift on February 1, 2018. The court found Patel guilty of voluntarily causing hurt and negligent conduct with an animal. The victim, Ramik Shah, his son, and his househelp were going down in the lift from the fourth floor when Patel entered the lift with his dog on the third floor. Shah told Patel that his son was afraid of dogs and requested him to either leave the pet dog out or to let them get off the lift. However, Patel dragged his dog into the lift, an argument ensued, and the dog bit Shah’s left forearm. After getting treated, he reported the incident to Worli police.
Key Points:
Incident: Patel’s dog bit Shah’s left forearm when he entered the lift with his pet despite Shah’s request to let them pass due to his son’s fear of dogs.
Court’s Decision: The court emphasized Patel’s negligence and lack of compassion towards his pet and others, stating that his actions were voluntary and resulted in injury.
Sentence: Patel was sentenced to four months of rigorous imprisonment for causing hurt and three months for negligent conduct with an animal, with both sentences to run concurrently.
Fine: Patel was fined ₹4,000, with ₹3,000 for causing hurt and ₹1,000 for negligent conduct.
The Bombay Court’s decision to sentence the pet owner to four months of rigorous imprisonment for his dog’s bite incident serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with pet ownership. The ruling emphasizes the importance of taking necessary precautions and being considerate of others’ safety and well-being. By holding the pet owner accountable, the court has set a precedent that negligence and lack of compassion towards others will not be tolerated. This verdict highlights the need for pet owners to prioritize their pets’ behaviour and ensure they do not pose a threat to others.
