Mumbai : A troubling incident in Mahim West’s Mori Road area has sparked public anger over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) alleged mishandling of a dog bite case. Local residents and social workers claim the BMC’s Mahalaxmi Dog Control Department refused to capture a biting dog unless the victim could provide proof of receiving a post-bite vaccination.
Witnesses reported that the dog-catching van arrived while both the victim and the aggressive dog were still at the scene. However, officials declined to take action, insisting on medical documentation before proceeding. They further claimed that the Parel animal hospital would not admit the dog for the mandatory 10-day observation without the said proof.
“This is completely absurd,” said Irfan Machiwala, a social worker from Mahim. “When someone is bitten, the authorities should act immediately. Waiting for paperwork compromises public safety.”
Residents were further alarmed when the BMC team left the dog at the scene despite its aggressive behavior.
Syed Gulzar Rana, another local social worker, criticized the outdated policies, saying, “Dog bite incidents are rising in Mumbai. The BMC must prioritize safety over bureaucracy.”
The incident has prompted calls for urgent policy reform, with residents demanding immediate action in dog bite cases — even in the absence of documentation — especially when the biting animal and the victim are both on-site.
