Navi Mumbai : In a disturbing incident from Kopar Khairane, Navi Mumbai, a youth was publicly thrashed by a group of animal lovers after he was caught on camera brutally beating a dog with a wooden stick. The video of the assault, which has gone viral on social media, shows the young man forcing the injured dog out of his housing compound after the attack.
According to reports, the dog sustained serious injuries, prompting outrage among local animal welfare activists. In retaliation, the youth was confronted on the street, slapped, kicked, and beaten with slippers by both men and women in the group. He was then taken to the police station in a car.
A separate video from inside the vehicle shows the man apologising with folded hands, claiming that he beat the dog at his mother’s insistence.
The incident was reportedly brought to light by an Instagram account identified as Vijay Rangare, who describes himself as an Honorary Animal Welfare Officer for the Maharashtra Government. The exact date of the incident remains unknown.
While the youth’s act of animal cruelty has been widely condemned, the violent reaction by the group has sparked concerns over vigilantism and taking the law into one’s own hands. Legal experts and netizens alike have pointed out that while animal abuse is a punishable offence, public humiliation and violence by civilians is also illegal.
As of now, there are no confirmed reports of any legal action taken against the individuals who assaulted the youth. However, police are said to have acted against the accused youth for his inhumane treatment of the dog.
The incident has reignited discussions around both animal rights and the appropriate legal channels for justice.
