Patrao Lane Residents Approach MCC and PC in the ‘Killer Dog’ Bite Case
Patrao lane Residents Approach Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer, MCC Mayor Kavitha Sanil, MCC Health Officer Dr Manjayya Shetty, Police Commissioner TR Suresh and Sub Inspector- North Police Station-Bunder in the ‘Killer Dog’ Bite Case, where a BBM student was mauled by a ferocious Rottweiler breed of dog.
Mangaluru: “Who let the dogs out? [Who, who, who, who?!, lyrics from the song by Baha Men may sound funny, but you will be alarmed to note the number of dog bite cases in Mangaluru and DK on the whole. As per Suman, an official at DHO, the number of dog bite cases from January 2017-October 2017 are 2258, and in DK for the same time period are 8636. Most of these dog bite cases are from stray dogs, and also home dogs- then why isn’t MCC or the District Administration doing anything in controlling the growing menace of stray dogs in the City and DK. Are they waiting for many more innocent citizens to be bitten or are they waiting for few deaths before they take action on this dog menace issue.
Leaving the stray dogs apart, recently a house dog, a Rottweiler breed bit a young BBM student- and luckily his injuries from the dog bite was not life-threatening. But one would ask, why would anyone keep a ferocious dog like a Rottweiler, (which are often referred as “Killer Dogs”) as a pet dog, when there are a bunch of neighbours moving around, and that too at a PG where a bunch of College girls are staying. And even though you have a Rottweiler, why would you allow it to roam freely in your compound? And even if you did allow it to roam free in your compound, you should make sure that the compound wall is high or the gate is closed or see that there is no exit that the dog can go out and jump on a stranger. But in this case, seems like the owner of the Rottweiler didn’t even care for any of these safety measures. Oh well, the result was that a Rottweiler, known for its ferocious nature, on last Saturday had bit a BBM student who had filed a police complaint against its owner.
Usha Bhakta seen with her son Ananthesh
The incident took place on the interlocked Patrao Lane here on Saturday, 17 November at 8 am. The dog belongs to Shalini Rai who runs a paying guest facility named ‘Sai PG Hostel for Girls” located on Patrao Lane, near to St Aloysius Institution. The Rottweiler had jumped the compound wall and bit the BBM student, Ananthesh Bhakta, son of Usha Bhakta, a teacher at Sharada Vidyalaya-Mangaluru and residing near Hotel Woodlands, (near to Patrao Lane) who was walking on Patrao lane. On hearing the student’s cries, neighbours rushed to the spot and rescued the student. The student questioned Shalini why the dog had been left unchained. The verbal dual intensified and Shalini allegedly used foul language, following which the student filed a police complaint.
Usha Bhakta speaking to Team Mangalorean said, ” After the ferocious dog bit my son, I rushed him to Vijaya Clinic which was nearby to my house- but the doctors were on strike that day, no OPD was open. So I took him to KMC Hospital-Dr Ambedkar Circle, where he was immediately treated by the doctors, who said that the injuries were not life-threatening. The hospital bill was around Rs 25, 000 since the injections were expensive. The same Saturday night I was called to Bunder police station, where Ms Shalini Rai was also present. The police wanted to settle this issue in a compromise manner, but Shalini was rude and very much reluctant to agree to any compromise. Instead, she verbally said that she didn’t bite my son, her dog did-so file a case on the dog? That was very ignorant on her part to say that.”
“Returning back from the police station without any settlement done with Shalini, I discussed this issue with my neighbours who readily agreed to help me out. We met Uday Kumar Shetty, an advocate who also resides on Patrao Lane, who agreed to draft a memorandum to be handed over to MCC Commissioner, Mayor, MCC Health Officer, Police Commissioner and SI at Bunder Police Station. If none of these said authorities don’t take action or settle this issue, our advocate has assured us of different means of handling this case” added Usha.
In the memorandum submitted to all the above officials, it is stated that “Shalini Rai has two Rottweiler dogs and several another breed of dogs, which are being left unattended and have caused great fear to the users and residents of the said Lane. On earlier occasions also the Rottweiler had attacked several other persons in the said Lane, where St Aloysius students and other residents also use the said Lane. Some are even senior citizens who take morning and evening walk, and now are scared after Saturday’s incident. In spite of many requests made by the residents here to Shalini not to leave her dog unattended, but all our efforts have been in vain”.
“It has been a habit of Shalini to let her dog roam freely, which has now created fear among the residents of the area. On the other hand, she acts very bossy and defends her illegal and careless action. This has caused great mental agony to the users of the said Lane.Therefore it was thought fit to bring the same to the knowledge of the concerned officials of MCC and take necessary action against Ms Rai for her illegal, irresponsible and careless attitude and act. Ms Rai who is running this PG for Girls, and always at night there will be couples chatting on two-wheelers creating nuisance by blocking the passage. We hope the concerned authorities will take suitable action on Ms Rai in the interest of the residents of Patrao Lane and nearby vicinity”.
Patrao Lane
Residents of Patrao Lane namely- K Ramesh Nayak, Vittal T Shetty, K M Shantharam Pai, Rakesh Nayak among others, along with Usha Bhakta and her son met MCC Commissioner, MCC Health Officer, Mayor and SI, who assured them that they will take action immediately. Corporator Vinaya Raj of that Area Ward, who was also at MCC office also promised that he will look into this issue and settle it soon. The residents also wanted to know whether the PG had a licence to run, which MCC Health Officer said that he will look into it and inform the residents about it.
The open PG Hostel Gate
The memorandum had been signed by 27 residents of that area, many of them residing in “Mahendra Manor Apartments” on Patrao Lane, and since Police Commissioner was not available due to the arrival of Sri Lanka PM in the City, the residents will meet him tomorrow and hand over the memorandum.
Note: Picture of Rottweiler dog for illustration only