Full Breakdown
Pit Bull Attack Leaves Six-Month-Old Infant Critical in Sonipat
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On September 14, a pit bull entered the street of Sikka Colony in Sonipat, Haryana, and lunged at a woman carrying her six-month-old infant. The force of the attack knocked both to the ground; the dog then seized the baby, dragging the child along the road while the aunt attempted to pull the animal away. Residents intervened and eventually freed the infant. The child sustained multiple bite injuries to the face and abdomen, and the aunt was also seriously injured.
Medical Response
The infant was initially taken to a local hospital before being referred to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMS) in Rohtak because of the severity of the injuries. Hospital officials describe the child’s condition as critical and note that treatment is ongoing. The aunt received medical care for her injuries at the same facility.
Lack of Formal Complaint
As of the latest reports, the family has not lodged a written police complaint. Consequently, the status of any formal police investigation remains unclear.
Regulatory Context
Pit bulls are not subject to a nationwide ban in India; they may be kept as pets in most jurisdictions. Some municipal authorities—such as those in Ghaziabad and Chandigarh—have imposed local restrictions on keeping “ferocious” breeds, including pit bulls and rottweilers. In March 2024, the central government proposed prohibiting the sale, breeding, and keeping of 23 breeds deemed dangerous, a move later reinforced by the Animal Husbandry Ministry, which directed states and Union Territories to enforce the proposed restrictions and to sterilise existing dogs of the listed breeds.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sonipat municipal officials stated that ownership of such dogs requires compliance with applicable rules and that the dog’s registration documents would be examined if a complaint or inspection is initiated.
- The Animal Husbandry Ministry directed all states and Union Territories to implement the proposed breed restrictions, citing public-safety concerns and ordering the sterilisation of dogs already kept as pets.
Community Reaction
Residents of Sikka Colony expressed alarm and demanded accountability from the dog’s owner. The infant’s grandmother, identified as Nirmala, recounted how the dog knocked the baby to the ground, seized him, and refused to release him despite by-standers’ attempts to intervene. Local people rushed to the scene and helped pull the child free.
Timeline
- September 14 – Pit bull attacks infant; incident recorded by CCTV.
- September 17 – Video of the attack goes viral on social media, drawing renewed attention.
- September 18 – Multiple news outlets publish detailed accounts of the incident and its aftermath.
Data & Statistics
- Infant age: six months.
- Injuries: multiple bite wounds to the face and abdomen; condition classified as critical.
- Aunt: serious injuries sustained while attempting rescue.
- No police complaint filed; no official determination of owner negligence reported.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The family’s decision not to file a police complaint leaves a gap in the official record of the incident.
- No public identification of the dog’s owner or confirmation of whether the animal’s ownership documents complied with local regulations.
- While municipal officials indicate that documents would be checked if a complaint is lodged, no such verification has been reported to date.