On March 13, during the Holika Dahan celebrations at the RWCS premises, a small child nearly got bitten by a pet dog, raising questions about pet safety in public places. The incident happened at approximately 11:30 p.m., right before the start of the ceremonial puja. The mother of the injured child, Aarti Sibal (D-140), claims that a Block B resident brought his pet Pomeranian to the event. She claimed that her daughter screamed in terror as the dog, perhaps excited by the clamour and crowd, scratched and scraped her hand close to the thumb. Aarti was worried about her child’s health and took her right away to Apollo Hospital, where she was administered medical aid and vaccinations. Although the pet owner assured her that the dog was vaccinated, Aarti decided to complete the full antirabies course as a precaution.
Following the incident, residents have raised questions about security measures at public events, demanding stricter regulations on allowing pets into crowded gatherings. “I am a pet owner myself and understand that animals can get scared due to noise, sudden movements, or crackers. But we must be mindful of where we take our pets,” said Aarti. She also expressed gratitude to RWCS officials for their prompt support.
According to the pet owner, he had brought his leashed Pomeranian only to pass by the RWCS premises when a friend invited him to stay at a distance from the crowd. Initially, no one objected to his presence.
Eyewitnesses claim that the dog remained calm until a group of children (around 8-10), including the injured girl, began engaging with it. While the girl had been playing with the dog for several minutes without issues, a few children reportedly started throwing stones and flowers at the dog. The dog then scratched or bit the girl’s hand.
The pet owner immediately accompanied the girl and her mother to Apollo Hospital, staying with them throughout the treatment. Acknowledging his responsibility, he later met with RWCS officials to discuss preventive measures for future events. He also pointed out that multiple stray dogs were present at the venue during the ceremony, raising broader concerns about animal control in public spaces. RWCS officials have assured residents that the community meeting is expected soon to address concerns and establish clear regulations regarding pets at public events.
