In a heart-wrenching case of animal cruelty from Ghaziabad, a dog was spotted being dragged by a bike that the animal was tied to. The incident took place on Sunday morning and was reported on Twitter by eyewitnesses.
The man has been identified as Ismail (55), a resident of the Vijay Nagar police station area. He was caught by the onlookers who rescued the injured dog and took it to a hospital.
The brutal incident that took place on the roads of Pratap Vihar, Uttar Pradesh, was not only recorded on camera and shared online to shame the accused for riding the bike with the tied dog, but also intervened and stopped by locals.
Surbhi Rawat, President of People for Animals (PFA), said that the accused first hit the stray with a brick, following which it lost consciousness.
Rawat said she reached the spot on receiving information of the incident and found the dog covered in blood, following which Islam was handed over to the police.
Videos shared by a news correspondent Sunil Gautam and Animal Rights Activist Surbi Rawat showed how people took charge of the incident and freed the animal from the clutches of the accused. Locals stopped the two-wheeler and made the rider untie the grieving dog. Later, the incident was reported to the police, following the accused being taken into police custody.
Watch Video (Warning: Disturbing visual & abusive language)
Reportedly, the dog was dragged for nearly one kilometre before being stopped by local animal feeders who later brought the incident to the notice of animal welfare organization 'People For Animals India.' A representative of PFA named Surbhi told media that the incident is subject to punishment under IPC sections 429 (Mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc), and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
ACP Anshu Jain said: "A video was received through social media, wherein a dog was being dragged after being tied to a bike by a person. The said person has been identified and arrested. Further action is being taken in the matter."
The animal activist later claimed that an FIR had been registered in this regard. "Fir has been logged at the concerned police station. Dog has been sent for the medical and we will keep the dog under observation," she tweeted.
Replying to the Free Press Journal, the Ghaziabad police mentioned that the person riding the vehicle with the tied dog has been identified and arrested. Further legal action is underway.
In one of the videos, the man said after being caught and questioned by the public that he was carrying the dog to leave it at some place. However, doubting his words and reflecting on the cruel deed, people were heard saying, "How would you feel if you were tied and dragged like this behind a vehicle? You must ensure proper medical care and treatment of this dog for what you have done."
