Dog Attack Leaves Mumbai Scientist Seriously Injured

A 37-year-old research scientist, Richa Kaushik-Arora, sustained severe injuries requiring nasal reconstruction surgery after being mauled by two pet dogs Pitbull and a Doberman in the Powai area, police reported. The incident occurred on March 22 as Kaushik-Arora walked toward her under renovation apartment in Jal Vayu Vihar. The dogs, owned by local resident Divesh Virk, escaped the control of his driver and housemaid, who were overseeing them while Virk was abroad.

Police Take Action Against Owner and Caretakers

The attack unfolded when the driver and maid arrived in a car with the unleashed dogs, which then lunged at Kaushik-Arora, injuring her face, nose, hands, and legs. The scientist was rushed to a private hospital by a fellow resident and her father-in-law. Powai police have since registered a case against Virk, his driver, and the housemaid under charges of negligence, with an investigation underway to determine the circumstances that allowed the dogs to break free and attack.

Incident Sparks Safety Concerns in Residential Area

Kaushik-Arora, employed by a private firm, was visiting her second flat under construction when the dogs from a neighboring building struck. The violent encounter has raised questions about pet management in residential communities, particularly as the owner was absent during the incident. while the victim’s injuries were significant, her condition stabilized post-surgery, though the event underscores ongoing debates about responsible pet ownership in urban settings like Mumbai’s Powai.