Canine hero dies saving his mistress, neighbour's life

Mumbai: In another reminder that a dog is indeed man’s best friend, a pet canine died saving the lives of two women in Sion when a 23-year-old youth attacked them with a knife on Tuesday. The accused, Venkatesh, allegedly beat up his sister-in-law after a fight, following which, she ran to her neighbour, Sumati Devendra, for help. While Sumati defended her, Venkatesh tried to kill both women with a knife. In the ensuing scuffle, Sumati’s pet dog, Lucky, jumped on Venkatesh, even as the latter ended up stabbing the animal in the stomach, leading to its death. Antop Hill police has arrested Venkatesh for killing the canine.

Sources attached to Antop Hill police station said that Venkatesh was having an affair with his sister-in-law Rosy’s younger sister. When Rosy found out about their romantic relationship, she opposed it, following which Venkatesh started yelling at Rosy and ran behind her with a knife, creating a commotion in the area. When Rosy went to Sumati for help, the accused entered Sumati’s house and attacked the two women with a knife. Sensing that Venkatesh was trying to hurt his mistress, Sumati’s pet dog, Lucky, jumped on him, scratching him with his nails. Venkatesh in turn ended up stabbing Lucky in the abdomen. When Venkatesh tried to flee the spot, he was caught by locals and handed over to Antop Hill police station.

He has been booked for killing a pet under section 429 of the Indian Penal Code. Sumati was in tears as she told The Asian Age, “Lucky was a stray dog who was picked up by kids in our area 13 years ago. I fed him and kept him as a pet ever since and he was like family to me. He did his duty in saving me and I will remain indebted to him for life. Even if he was a stray picked up from the road, he meant the world to me. Now that he is gone, I can’t even get myself to eat.”

Meanwhile, Venkatesh is once again a free man after the Antop Hill police granted him bail on Thursday.