A technician fixing an air conditioner fell to his death from the terrace of a six-storey building in Thakurpukur while trying to escape an Alsatian that had allegedly been let loose despite his requesting the owner not to.
Gaurav Purakait, an 18-year-old college student working part-time, apparently toppled over the parapet as the dog reared up on his hind limbs and rested his paws on the panic-stricken youth, his cousin and eyewitness Tarun Purakait told police.
The dog's owner, schoolteacher Sumit Bhattacharya, has been arrested along with scientist Tapas Ghoshal, whose AC outlet pipe Gaurav was fixing when the tragedy occurred around 10.10pm on Tuesday. Charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and unlawful compulsory labour have been slapped on them, which if proved could invite up to 10 years in jail.
According to the FIR, Gaurav and Tarun were close to completing their assignment when Bhattacharya released his Alsatians Kuttush and Mithi on the terrace. "The technicians requested him to leash the dogs for a few more minutes so that they could work undisturbed, to which their owner said they were trained and wouldn't bite," a police officer said quoting from the complaint.
When Kuttush took loping strides towards Gaurav, he ran. "He leaned against the parapet on the other side of the terrace and the dog stood up on its hind legs. The young man was so scared that he leaned further back and lost his balance," the officer said.
Gaurav, a resident of Bishnupur in South 24-Parganas, landed on the ground barely a metre away from where the night guard of the building was seated. He was taken to DM Hospital, two blocks away, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
If Bhattacharya stands accused of not heeding the victim's request not to let his Alsatians loose, scientist Ghoshal had allegedly forced the technicians to work beyond normal duty hours.
"According to the complaint, Ghoshal had initially refused to pay for the extra pipe that was required. The dispute was sorted out later in the evening, after which he insisted that the technicians complete the AC installation even though it was already dark," the police said.
The six-storey building, named Diptikona Apartment and located off James Long Sarani, has 25 apartments. Bhattacharya lives on the top floor with his dogs and teaches in a south Calcutta school. Ghoshal, a scientist with a central government organisation that researches fish and animal nutrition, lives with his wife and three children on the third floor.
A neighbour said Bhattacharya would release his Alsatians on the terrace every night. Kuttush is a seven-year-old male while Mithi is a two-year-old female.
Most pet owners insist that their dogs respond to orders and are harmless, but people unaccustomed to handling animals are hard to convince that they won't bite. The law too states that it is the responsibility of the owner of an animal to ensure that it does not create panic or endanger human life.
"Under Section 289 of the IPC it is an offence if a pet owner fails to take sufficient guard against any probable danger to human life or danger of grievous hurt from the animal," said criminal lawyer Sk. Salim Rahaman.
A pet owner who violates this rule is liable for a penalty of Rs 1,000 or a jail term of up to six months.
There is another facet to keeping pets in India. Unlike in Western countries, many Indian pet owners do not properly socialise and exercise their dogs, especially the larger breeds. They hardly walk their dogs or play games with them, activities crucial to keeping them happy. "A properly trained dog is not as hyperactive and edgy," said veterinarian Goutam Mukherjee.
Kuttush and Mithi were left alone in Bhattacharya's flat, under lock and key, for a day after their owner's arrest. Bhattacharya and Ghoshal got bail on Wednesday.
