Pitbull Attack in Chennai Leaves Seven-Year-Old Girl Injured; Owner Arrested

CHENNAI: The child, who lives with her parents on the first floor of a residential building, was attacked by the pitbull belonging to her landlord when she came downstairs.

Neighbours rushed to her aid after hearing her screams and promptly took her to Stanley Government Medical College and Hospital. She is currently undergoing treatment and is reported to be in a stable condition, according to a corporation official who visited her on Monday.

Dog unlicensed but vaccinated

The dog, a three-year-old pitbull, had been brought to the property by the owner, Jothi (45), around a month ago from a relative’s home. While the animal’s vaccinations were reportedly up to date, it was being kept without the required pet licence — a violation of local regulations.

City officials confirmed that the dog has since been captured and relocated to the city corporation’s animal pound. Police arrested Jothi following the incident and have booked her under Sections 291 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for negligent conduct regarding animals and endangering human life.

Stricter rules on the horizon

In the wake of the attack, city authorities are now reviewing proposals to enforce stricter penalties for pet owners who fail to register their animals or act irresponsibly. The case has reignited debates on the dangers of keeping aggressive dog breeds in residential areas without proper precautions.