PANJIM: The Panjim police on Monday registered an FIR against V Madhav Rao Chavan who has been identified as the owner of Rottweiler that mauled two innocent siblings aged between five and seven on Sunday evening at Shivnagar Alto-Oitiyant, Taleigao.
Accused Chavan has been booked under IPC sections 289 (negligent conduct concerning animals) 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).
This action comes after Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Peter Borges taking cognizance of the O Heraldo’s report, wrote to Panjim Police Inspector (PI) Nikhil Palekar seeking action against the owner of Rottweiler.
It is pertinent to note that the horrific incident unfolded when the kids were out on an evening walk along with their mother. In the incident the boy sustained injuries to his face, ear and chest while the dog sunk his canines deep into the girl’s skull and neck.
Earlier in the day, after learning about the unfortunate incident through O Heraldo’s reportage Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Peter F Borges visited the victims in GMC and inquired about their health and also met the parents of the children.
Borges assured all help to the victims’ parents and requested the father of the children to file an official complaint against the owner of the Rottweiler that attacked their children. He however was reluctant to do the same and he said that he doesn’t want to get into legal tangles as he is a small man working as a delivery agent for a food delivery company. The father only appealed to ensure that his children get the best treatment in the hospital.
Later interacting with media persons at GMC, Borges said, “Parents are new to Goa, they are not aware of the whole system here, which is why they are reluctant to file a formal complaint as of now. But the Commission feels that the attack on these two children is grave and there should be some action against the owner of the Rottweiler.”
Later in the day, Borges wrote to Panjim PI Nikhil Palekar to investigate the incident and act as per law against the dog owner and submit a report to the Commission within three days.
Kids will be mentally scarred: doctor
A senior doctor at GMC on the condition of anonymity said the victims have suffered emotional trauma more than physical injuries.
“Mental trauma is much more. Both kids will always be fearful…it is not only about the physical attack. The incident will trigger extreme anxiety and they will continue to be psychologically disturbed,” the doctor said.
He informed that both kids are receiving required medical attention and treatment under the supervision of Dr Vikas Dhupar. He informed that both the kids were treated in Minor OT located within the casualty ward of GMC by doctors of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) late night on Sunday and added that they are responding well to the treatment.
