Man to be tried for pet's misdemeanour

NEW DELHI: Keeping a pet dog untied has landed a man in trouble as a court here has ordered that he be tried for his canine's misdemeanour of biting a woman last year.

Rakesh Kumar Seth, the pet owner would face charges of negligent conduct with respect to animal and endangering life and personal safety of others, carrying maximum punishment of six-month imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 500.

A case was registered with Roop Nagar police station against Seth in north Delhi by Bimlesh after the dog had bitten her on September 12 last year.

She alleged that Seth had not tied the pet despite her requests.

"This averment of the complainant mentioned in the complaint and subsequent inaction on the part of the accused who failed to tie up the dog despite request is sufficient at this stage to attribute 'knowledge' on his part that his dog may harm the complainant," Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kanwaljeet Arora said.

The court said prima facie a case for offence punishable under Section 289 and 337 of the IPC was made out against Seth, a resident of Roop Nagar.

It rejected his plea that no offence was made out against him as negligence was that of the victim only, who could not take proper care in protecting herself. He also claimed that his dog did not have the tendency to bite.

"In this case, complainant was aware that the dog was not tied, then she should not have entered the premises," he argued.

The prosecutor, however, submitted that it was the duty of the accused, who had the dog in possession, to take all possible measures so that the canine might not harm others.