A couple suffered serious injuries after they were allegedly attacked by a pet Pit Bull while visiting a house in Patiala’s Ghuman Nagar area, where they had gone to inspect a property for rent.
The incident took place on Tuesday evening when Ankit Sabharwal, a private bank manager, and his wife Shifali Sabharwal, a professor at Chandigarh University, visited the property with a real estate agent.
According to Ankit, the attack began shortly after they opened the gate of the house. The dog allegedly rushed towards the couple and began biting them repeatedly.
Ankit suffered multiple injuries and required stitches, while Shifali sustained serious wounds to her arms and legs and underwent surgery. She remains under medical observation, according to the family.
CCTV footage captures Pit Bull attack
CCTV footage of the incident has since surfaced online, showing the dog repeatedly attacking the couple as people nearby attempted to intervene.
A woman can be seen trying to drive the animal away with a stick, while several people eventually managed to pull the injured couple away from the dog and take them to safety.
The incident has sparked concern over the safety risks posed by aggressive pet dogs, particularly when visitors enter residential properties.
Police begin inquiry into Patiala dog attack
Police took cognisance of the incident after the CCTV footage emerged. DSP Jangjit Randhawa said officials had verified the footage and contacted the victim’s family.
Police said further action would be taken after Shifali’s medical report is received. An FIR is expected to be registered under Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with negligent conduct involving animals that causes danger to human life or personal safety.
Authorities have also indicated that action can be taken against owners of dangerous dog breeds in accordance with applicable court directions.
The incident has once again raised questions over responsible pet ownership and the precautions that need to be taken to prevent attacks on visitors and members of the public.
