Talking to TOI, Raval said, “A few days ago, the lifeguard at Versova beach had shown me a short video clip in which a man can be seen sexually abusing a local dog whom I feed and take care of. I urged the lifeguard to inform me if this man is seen again at the beach. I also asked a few watchmen in the nearby area to immediately inform me if they spot the suspect, who is in his mid-40s, and showed his photo from the video clip”.
She further stated, ‘On August 1, I was informed that the suspect was again seen at Versova beach. When I reached the spot, the accused man was sexually abusing the dog. I video recorded it on my cell phone and then dialed `103′ to seek police help.’
A team from Versova police station immediately reached the site and then took the suspect and the activist to the police station, where the FIR was registered against Gomes under IPC section 377 (unnatural sex) and section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Gomes has been remanded to judicial custody at present.
‘I would like to thank the Versova police team, especially the investigating official (IO), Sunil Wagh, for taking quick action to book and arrest the accused. I also want to thank animal activist Salim Charania and the senior police inspector of Mumbai Police, Sudhir Kudalkar, for guiding me in this particular case of animal cruelty,’ said Raval.
City-based representative of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), Mitesh Jain, commented, ‘In the last few years, several cases of sexual abuse of animals have come to light, thanks to animal lovers and activists who have complained to the authorities. Police must take strict action against such sick culprits.’
Past cases of sexual abuse of animals:
In October 2020, a female dog was brutally raped inside a shopping complex in Powai, Hiranandani Complex. Police later arrested one accused man.
In October 2020, a 65-year-old man was held for raping a dog at Nerul railway station in Navi Mumbai.
In March 2021, a dog was sexually abused in Kalina, Santacruz (west), which was caught on CCTV. FIR filed at Vakola police station.
In March 2021, a 67-year-old vegetable trader was arrested by D N Nagar police for sexually abusing a dog. His act was caught on camera by an alert citizen.”
