Following a distressing incident where a five-year-old girl was attacked by unleashed Rottweilers at a public park in Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation has implemented stricter rules regarding pets, especially dogs, in public parks.
The new regulations require pets to be leashed and muzzled while inside parks, with each owner allowed to bring only one pet at a time. Additionally, a pet license has become mandatory, and checks for licenses will be conducted for companion and pet dogs.
The attack occurred in Chennai’s Thousand Lights area when the girl, Sudaksha, was playing in the park where her father works as a security guard. Two unleashed Rottweilers targeted her, causing severe injuries. Dr. J Radhakrishnan, Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation, noted that the child suffered an 11-inch scalp injury during the attack.
Sudaksha is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city, with the Corporation taking responsibility for covering all medical expenses related to her treatment.
The Chennai police arrested three individuals, including the owner of the dogs and two handlers. They have been released on police station bail, as the offenses are bailable. It has been reported that the dogs were not sterilized, raising concerns about their breeding for commercial purposes.
In a related development, the Centre has urged states to ban the sale and breeding of certain aggressive dog breeds, including Pitbull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler, and Mastiffs. The directive also mandates the sterilization of existing pets belonging to these breeds. The Animal Husbandry Department’s decision follows representations from citizen forums and Animal Welfare Organizations regarding the need to regulate ownership of such breeds as pets.
Sources By Agencies
