Patna, July 23: It is a fit case for consternation for animal lovers: A sub-judicial court has awarded death penalty to a pet dog. Its apparent crime — ferociously preventing "wicked" people from causing harm to its elderly mistress. The order was passed by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Purnia Sadar, Purnia district, yesterday.
The neighbours of Janaki Devi, an octogenarian widow, residing at Bhatta Bazar, had filed a case against her pet, charging that it had become a nuisance causing physical harm to many of them. They had to seek medical treatment after having been bitten by it. The SDO, Jitendra Prasad, heard their pleas and ordered the dog's execution. He issued directives to the Nagar Parishad and the district police to carry out his orders without delay. Surprisingly, he did not consider handing the dog over for safe custody to a zoo or an appropriate authority.
The woman found it difficult to go through the rigours of the court proceedings and became desperate on hearing the ruling. She had bought the dog after her husband's death to "keep her enemies at bay". The authorities have not executed the dog yet in the wake of the woman's pleas.