MAPUSA
In a shocking act of cruelty, a pet dog belonging to a resident of Khoirut, Aldona, was shot in the face on Sunday, leaving her with a fractured jaw and broken teeth.
The incident has left the local community disturbed and the dog’s owner, Vishal Ghadi, heartbroken.
Ghadi, who described his pet as a gentle and affectionate companion, said the family was devastated when the dog returned home bleeding profusely, her face disfigured and jaw shattered.
“She was a friendly, non-interfering dog who never troubled anyone. We cannot imagine who would do such a thing,” he said, struggling to hold back emotion.
According to Ghadi’s complaint to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the incident occurred early Sunday morning.
“We heard a loud gunshot and moments later, our dog came limping home, bleeding and trembling,” he said.
The family immediately rushed her to a private veterinary clinic in Aldona, where X-rays revealed the extent of the injury.
“The bullet appears to have been fired from close range and has shattered her jawbone. Several fragments are still lodged inside her mouth,” Ghadi added.
The pet is currently under treatment and struggling to eat or drink due to the severe facial injury.
SPCA Executive Secretary Dexter Braganza said the organisation will lodge a formal complaint with the Mapusa Police under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cruelty to animals.
“This is a deliberate act of violence and we will ensure it is investigated thoroughly,” Braganza said.
The incident has triggered outrage among locals and animal lovers alike, who described it as a “barbaric act.”
Cases of cruelty and aggression towards animals have been rising in Goa, but this particular case, involving a harmless family pet, has shaken many.
As the injured dog fights to recover, the search for the person behind the cruel act continues “ leaving a trail of heartbreak, anger, and unanswered questions in its wake.
