A 20-year-old man has been booked by Mumbai Police for allegedly sexually assaulting a two-month-old puppy and beating it in the Malad area of north Mumbai, an official said on Thursday.
The incident took place on Sunday evening inside a public toilet under the jurisdiction of the Kurar police station.
A police official said the accused, identified as Vikas Besakar Paswan, allegedly took the puppy inside the toilet and assaulted it before thrashing the animal. “The accused took the puppy into the toilet and sexually assaulted it. He also beat the animal,” the official said.
According to the police, a passerby noticed suspicious activity and informed animal lover Geeta Patel, who immediately alerted the police. A team reached the spot and detained Paswan, while the puppy was rescued in a critical condition.
“The puppy was found in a very serious condition and has been shifted to a veterinarian for treatment,” the official said.
A video showing people gathering outside the public toilet and pinning down the accused later went viral on social media, triggering outrage.
Police said Paswan has been booked under section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for mischief by killing or maiming animals, along with relevant provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. However, he has not been formally arrested yet.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
