In Pune’s Kothrud area, an upsetting event happened on October 12, 2023. A 19-year-old named Rahul Deshmukh was seen on CCTV hurting his family’s pet dog, a 3-year-old Labrador retriever, in their apartment parking lot. The video showed him hitting the dog with a stick and kicking it. This made many people worried about how pets are treated.
Mr. Prakash Sharma, the secretary of the society where Deshmukh lives, saw the footage and reported it to the police. The Kothrud Police arrived quickly and arrested Deshmukh for hurting the animal, which is against the law in India.
The dog, named Bruno, was hurt badly. A veterinarian, Dr. Anjali Patil, found that Bruno had bruises on his legs and a broken rib. After receiving care, Bruno is now safe with a local animal welfare group until the case is fully looked into.
In Maharashtra, there’s been a big rise in pet abuse cases. Reports show a 47% increase in the last year, with many cases happening in Pune. Since January 2023, 156 cases of animal cruelty have been recorded in Pune alone.
Deshmukh’s family is shocked by his actions. They’re working with the authorities and have promised to attend counseling and an animal welfare program to learn how to care for pets better.
On October 15, 2023, animal rights activists will hold a protest for stronger laws against animal abuse. They expect around 500 people to join them in supporting this important cause.
If found guilty, Deshmukh could face five years in prison and a fine. The first court hearing is set for October 20, 2023.
