Mumbai Man Jailed after Pet Husky Bites Neighbor in Lift

In what might just be another landmark case of pet negligence and bad pet parenting, a 40-year-old man named Rishab Patel was sentenced to four months in jail after his pet husky bit his neighbor in an apartment lift. The incident happened at Alfa Apartment in Worli, Mumbai.

Patel was convicted on charges of voluntarily causing hurt and negligent conduct with an animal. According to the report by The Times of India, Judicial Magistrate Suhas Bhosale delivered the verdict.

Rishab Patel was said to have acted without concern for others, including his pet. CCTV footage showed him pulling the dog into the lift even though others were already inside, including a toddler.

A file photo of a Husky on a leash (Pexel/Julissa Helmuth)

The neighbor, Ramik Shah, was in the lift with his one-and-a-half-year-old son and their house-help. When they reached the third floor, Patel was waiting with his Husky. Shah asked him not to enter, saying his son was afraid of dogs. But Patel ignored the request and forced his way in. He reportedly did not even allow them to exit. As tempers ran high, the husky bit Shah on his left arm.

After getting out of the lift, Shah said Patel followed him and dared him to "do whatever he wanted." This aggressive behavior was also noted in court.

During the trial, Shah and his domestic help, Anuj Singh, told the court what happened. Patel's version was reportedly inconsistent, while Shah stuck to his narration of events. The judge accepted Shah's version of events.

While delivering the verdict, the Judge also said Patel didn’t show kindness to his dog or the people in the lift. Patel has also been fined Rs 4,000, and sentenced to four months of rigorous imprisonment.