Accused refused to provide first aid, blamed me for creating a scene: victim

The YMCA assistant general-secretary was arrested on Thursday after his pet dog allegedly bit the wife of a Rajya Sabha Joint Director, the police said on Friday.

Released on bail

Sarvajeet Singh has been released on bail. A senior police officer confirmed that Mr. Singh is the YMCA’s assistant general-secretary.

Rekha Gaur, wife of INA Colony resident Rajesh Kumar Gaur, said the incident happened on September 27. She said she had taken her son for a tuition class at the YMCA staff complex and was waiting outside for him when the incident happened.

“I was sitting on the pavement when a German Shepherd attacked and injured me severely. I started bleeding profusely. I got to know that the dog was owned by Mr. Singh,” she said in her complaint.

The victim alleged that “instead of providing first aid”, the accused and his family started shouting and blaming her for “creating a scene”.

She said her husband reached the spot and took her to a private hospital in Chanakyapuri. Mr. Singh and his family also accompanied them to the hospital, she said. The doctor told her that she had sustained a “third-degree dog bite”, Ms. Gaur said, adding that her condition has worsened since the incident.

‘Might need surgery’

The doctors have allegedly told her that she might have to undergo surgery, the police said. Ms. Gaur claimed that the accused and his family argued that their dog was “innocent and did not bite her”. She said the matter was reported to the police on September 29. She and her husband wrote several e-mails to Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik regarding the matter, Ms. Gaur claimed.

“It is sad that even after a month-and-a-half, the police have not taken any action to remove the dog from the complex and a complaint has not been lodged,” she alleged.

DCP (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said based on the complaint, an FIR under Section 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animal) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life) of the Indian Penal Code was registered on Thursday at Connaught Place police station.

Medical expenses

Mr. Singh was arrested following this and subsequently released on bail. Ms. Gaur’s medical examination has been conducted. An officer said the accused initially bore the cost of Ms. Gaur’s treatment but eventually refused to pay when it became expensive, after which “she pursued the case vigorously”. Police said Mr. Singh has a valid document from the authorities to keep the dog but he is supposed to keep his pet in check.