After a butcher attacked the dog with a knife, the residents took the injured mongrel to the clinic at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University for treatment and also forced the police to register a case against the meat-shop owner.

Narrating the incident, Jatinderpal Singh, one of the shopkeepers who took the dog to hospital, said: “The man hacked the dog with his carving knife, which is usually used to cut goats and chicken. The poor dog fell on the ground and could not stop howling with pain. We all saw the brutal scene and held a dharna against the merciless butcher.” The dharna ended only after the police registered a case against the shopkeeper.

The accused was identified as Mohammad Jacky, owner of Jacky Meat Shop.

In-charge of the Janakpuri police post, Avtar Singh, said: “Jacky was irritated by the dog’s frequent visits to his shop to nibble at scraps. In a fit of rage, he attacked the animal with the same knife that he used to cut the meat.”

A case under Section 428 (killing or maiming an animal) of the IPC and 1/1 of the Animal Act, 1960, has been registered against Jacky.

“We knew that every one would try to hush up the matter saying it was just a dog. But we wanted the authorities to take action,” added Davinderpal, an eyewitness. After the veterinarians discharged the injured animal, the market committee has voluntarily consented to take care of the dog.

But the veterinarians do not hold out much hope for the dog’s survival. A vet told Newsline: “The knife sliced the animal’s spinal cord and I believe he may not recover.”