Beastly act: Pregnant canine blinded by three brothers

Charu Chhibber

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16

In a horrifying incident of cruelty on animal, a pregnant canine was thrashed and blinded by three residents of Raipur Khurd, Mohali, for allegedly straying into their house.

With one eye hanging from its socket and the other barely able to see, the canine is currently undergoing treatment at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Hospital, Sector 38 (West), Chandigarh.

Pradeep Singh, a resident of Raipur Khurd, who was an eyewitness to the incident, said, “The incident took place on the morning of October 11. When I heard a dog’s sharp cries, I went out and saw Harmeet Singh, Makhan Singh and Dassa – three brothers residing in my neighbourhood, assaulting the animal. I immediately rushed to the spot.”

Pradeep Singh said by the time he reached, the trio had brutally lacerated the dog’s eyes. “Harmeet had a sharp-edged weapon in his hand. When I confronted them, they threatened me and yelled that they would kill all unwanted dogs in the area,” said Pradeep.

He said following the incident, his cousin Harjot Singh rushed the animal to Balongi from where it was referred to the SPCA Hospital. 

Pradeep alleged that a few months ago also, the trio had killed a dog. “The brothers, along with their father Banta Singh, rear pigs, cut and sell their meat to earn a living,” Pradeep said. 

“On October 14, I submitted a written complaint at the Sohana police station but there has been no action,” rued Pradeep.

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Dr Rakesh Sharma, who is taking care of the animal at the SPCA Hospital, said, “The canine, which is about four and a half years old, has lost its left eye completely with the iris and eyeball hanging out. There is low vision in the other eye. We are giving it treatment so that it does not contract secondary bacterial or viral infection but the reason for its condition will be clear only after the medical report comes,” said Dr Sharma. 

He said, “Since it is pregnant, we can’t give a very high dose of medication. A surgery will be conducted on the canine after the delivery, which is expected in about five to six days.” The medical report is expected tomorrow.

Rajeev Kumar, SHO of the Sohana police station, said, “An FIR will be registered once we get the medical report.” The accused, however, could not be   contacted.