GURUGRAM: Police on Monday arrested two people, including a city-based veterinarian, for animal cruelty and fraud.
The accused, identified as Dr Rahul Dangi and Anoop Singh, were arrested following a complaint by city-based animal rights activist Anees Rahil after two of her dogs died while undergoing treatment under them.
According to the complaint, Anees had taken her female dog to ARD Pet Hospital, Sector 56, on May 18 where the accused doctor used to work and is also a co-owner. The doctor told her that the animal is malnourished. He then referred the canine to Animalia Veterinary Polyclinic, Sector 47, for ultrasound and x-ray.
The complainant got the required tests done and admitted the animal in the accused’s clinic and was assured about its recovery. On May 25, she brought her second dog, a male, to the hospital as it was also unwell. That day the accused doctor was not in the clinic and his compounder, Anoop, started treatment on the animal despite her reservations on his medical competence.
“He put the dog on drips, unknown drugs and administered many injections. Thereafter, the dog became very restless. I was assured that the doctor will come soon and attend to the dog and was asked to leave the premises,” Anees said.
Once she reached home, she got a call from the hospital informing her that her male dog had passed away. She rushed to the hospital and took away the animal for a decent burial. After a few hours, she again received a call informing her that the female dog had expired too.
When she went to fetch the carcass from the hospital she found it kept outside the clinic in a plastic bag and the animal was still breathing. She said that she opened the bag but by the time she could call for help, the dog passed away.
A police officer said that she later called the Haryana Veterinary Council and found out that the accused doctor is not registered in Haryana. According to the Indian Veterinary Council and Haryana State Veterinary Council norms, a veterinary surgeon has to mandatorily register themselves with the state council. She then approached the Sector 56 police station and lodged a complainant.
The matter reached the court and an FIR was registered on the directions of the magistrate on January 17 under IPC Sections 420 (fraud), 428 (mischief by killing or maiming animal of the value of ten rupees. Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal or animals of the value of ten rupees or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both) and 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc., of any value or any animal of the value of fifty rupees) and Section 11 of the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act.