Thane: Finally, FIR against clinic for dog assault

Varun Seth with his pet Chow Chow, Tofu. Pic/Rajesh Gupta

After three days of follow-up by this paper, animal activists, and politicians intervening in the brutal dog beating case in Thane, the police have finally registered an FIR against four people - the two staff who assaulted the pet dog and created the video, and the owner and manager of the clinic. The dog owner and activists are happy that the police took the crime seriously and filed an FIR. However, they hope that the case gets admitted successfully in court and stands on merit for the sake of all animals.

The police had registered an FIR on the complaint of Saloni Sakaria, cruelty response coordinator at PETA India, who said continuous follow-up in the matter had resulted in an FIR in the matter. She said, "PETA India commends the Chitalsar Manpada police station for nabbing the abusers, booking everyone involved in the incident, and sending a message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated. Since those who abuse animals often move on to humans, these abusers are a threat to society as a whole," she added.

Varun Seth, the owner of the Chow Chow said, "Earlier the police had registered a non-cognisable offence, where the accused would have been released by paying a fine of Rs 10. But after follow-up by the animal activists and the intervention of MLA Pratap Sarnaik, the police registered an FIR in the matter. The police were cooperative from the first day. As the FIR is registered we hope that the accused are arrested."

The case has been registered against four people including Mayur Micheal Adhav, 19, who had beaten the dog, Prashant Gaikwad, 20, who shot the video, owner of the clinic and the manager. The police have registered a case under sections 429, 511, 114 and 34 of the Indian penal code and section 11 (1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Varun at Chitalsar Manpada police station. Pics/Rajesh Gupta

On February 13, Tuesday the video of the incident went viral on social media across the country. Animal activists in Thane gathered at the clinic wanting to register an FIR. However, based on the complaint of a veterinary official from Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) only NC could be filed.

On February 15, MLA Pratap Sarnaik intervened in the matter and asked the Thane Commissioner of Police, Ashutosh Dumbre to file an FIR in the case. Sarnaik also asked the TMC officials to check the documents of the clinic and to take the necessary action against them. Pratap Sarnaik, MLA, said, "I appreciate and thank Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre, who personally intervened in this matter and ensured that the case is registered promptly.

Additionally, I requested the police to ensure that non-bailable sections are added to the case as per the law so that the accused face serious punishment for their actions. Similarly, I have also instructed the veterinary officials of TMC to thoroughly check all the documents of the pet clinic. If any illegality is found, action should be taken to seal the clinic." Amar Singh Jadhav, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 5 also confirmed about the case been registered in the matter and said we are investigating the matter further.

Owner Varun Seth with his pet dog Tofu

A senior police official said, "After the NC was reported the two pet clinic staff were detained and preventive action was taken against them and later released. However, now when a FIR is registered we will reinvestigate the case and soon arrest the accused involved in the matter."

4
No of people named in FIR

Feb 13
Day the video went viral