Mumbai Man Faces Legal Action After Allegedly Setting Dog on Child, Video Sparks Outrage

A man in Mumbai has been booked for allegedly setting his pet dog on a young boy, leaving the child with serious injuries and triggering public outrage after footage of the incident went viral.

The disturbing event occurred on the night of July 17, 2025, in a residential area of Mankhurd. According to the Mumbai Police, Mohammad Sohail Khan, a local resident, is accused of intentionally releasing his pet dog on a minor who was playing inside a parked auto-rickshaw. The child suffered multiple bites to his face and hands and remains traumatised by the attack.

Instead of stepping in to restrain the animal, Khan was reportedly seen laughing during the incident, which was captured on video and widely shared across social media platforms. The clip drew sharp criticism and renewed calls for stricter pet ownership laws and accountability.

"On July 17 at approximately 10 p.m., the complainant's minor son was playing in a stationary rickshaw when the accused, a known resident of the same neighbourhood, intentionally let loose his brown dog. The dog bit the child, causing visible injuries to the chin and hands," police officials stated.

Following a formal complaint and review of the video evidence, Khan has been booked under Sections 291, 125, and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Mankhurd Police Station. A notice has also been served to him under Section 35(3).

This case adds to growing concerns over rising dog bite incidents across the country. Data from the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR–NIE) estimates over 5,000 deaths occur annually in India due to dog bites. In 2024 alone, official records show over 21.9 lakh dog bite cases were reported nationwide through the Health Ministry's Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.

As the video continues to circulate, public attention remains fixed on the need for clear enforcement of responsible pet ownership and stricter penalties for negligence and cruelty.