Thane: ‘That monster will walk free on bail of just Rs 10!’

Owner Varun Seth with his pet Chow Chow Tofu

The owner of the pet dog who was brutally pummelled by vet staff of the Vetic Pet Clinic in Thane has revealed that the two accused who were arrested yesterday will walk out without any stringent punishment.

"I approached the police today to file an FIR against the two vet staff who had beaten and manhandled my pet dog Tofu. But the police said they had already filed a non-cognisable offence and it's not a case of FIR. They also explained how in the case of non-cognisable offence as per the law the accused will be released with only a fine of Rs 10," said Varun Seth, the owner of the chow-chow pet dog which was beaten in a pet clinic in Thane.

Varun Seth, a chartered accountant and resident of Thane got married in Lonavala on February 13, Tuesday. After completing the wedding rituals in Lonavala he returned on Wednesday.

Varun at the Chitalsar Manpada police station. Pic/Rajesh Gupta

"The first thing I did was take my dog tofu from the boarding. Rather than doing the Griha Pravesh rituals with my bribe, I immediately went to the police station to file a complaint against them," said Varun.

"I was disappointed that even after the assault on Tofu, the vet staff would be released today without any punishment. This has set the wrong precedent as such incidents will keep happening. The police even explained to us many different cases where the accused were released, paying low fines or none at all," added Seth.

Beating an animal which in this case was the primary offence is covered only under section 11 (1) of the PCA 1960 which is a non-cognisable offence,"
When Seth insisted that the police register his case as he is the legitimate owner, they cited different examples of how only one case is registered in such a matter and his is not an isolated case of animal cruelty.

"The officer told me that in cases where the dogs got killed, the accused have been granted bail ranging from R50 to R500. This is unbelievable, " he added. Following the incident, many animal activists gathered outside the Chitalsar Manpada police station requesting and trying to file an FIR in the case. But were left with disappointment. Shakuntala Majumdar, President of Community for the Protection and Care of Animals, Thane said, "We tried to file an FIR, but how can we? The punishment for the section in which the police booked the accused is hardly Rs 10 to Rs 50. In such case how will we feel the pets are safe in the society," she added.

"Regarding yesterday's dastardly incident which shook the entire nation, I seriously want the nation to ponder on the obsolete PCA Act which is in dire need of a change. Justice and amendment of law for animals will be delayed and prevented as long as animals are not a vote bank for the law-makers," said Indraneel Roy, Animal Welfare Officer, Appointed by Bombay HC and AWBI.

"The existing law itself became a barrier to registering a cognisable offence for animal cruelty in this case because it was never amended since its introduction. Unfortunately, we couldn't push the police to register a case under section 429 since it requires two very specific conditions which are either killing of the animal or maiming, which renders the animal permanently disabled," she added.

Girish Gode, senior police inspector said, "We have already registered a non-cognisable offence in the matter on Tuesday itself. As per the offence, it was an NC case. Further, we have sent the accused to the assistant commissioner of police for preventive action against them. As the ACP has the magistrate power to further take action."

Feb 13
Date of the incident