Upon reviewing the CCTV footage, Thakur was horrified to discover that Sahu had been mistreating the pets under his care.
Thakur, a pet lover and owner herself, found the footage deeply disturbing. “The issue of money being stolen paled into insignificance after I saw the chilling footage,” she stated. She and her partner had trusted Sahu, who had groomed their dog in the past, leading them to start the pet care business and employ him.
The CCTV footage, spanning from February 6, 2024, to March 18, 2024, revealed Sahu assaulting seven dogs using various objects such as a wooden stick, belt, and iron chain. He was also seen punching and throwing the dogs onto a table. Thakur promptly terminated Sahu’s employment upon discovering the footage and sought legal advice from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
In an interview, Thakur mentioned that Sahu admitted to the abuse, claiming that the dogs barked and urinated excessively. She subsequently closed her business and filed a case against Sahu with the Koparkhairane police on April 8, emphasizing the importance of justice for the traumatized animals.
Senior police inspector Audumbar Patil stated that they would gather certificates from the owners’ veterinarians and approach the customers whose dogs were assaulted to compile evidence for the chargesheet. Sahu has been charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Thakur expressed her determination to ensure that Sahu is never allowed near any pet again and declared her intention to find a professional, trained replacement before resuming business operations.
