New Delhi:
An elderly couple from Delhi’s Mayur Vihar had entrusted their beloved dog, Milo, to a Noida-based pet boarding facility before embarking on a journey to Vadodara to visit their son. Unbeknownst to them, this would be the final farewell to their cherished pet. The family’s heartache deepened with the news of Milo’s death, compounded by a harrowing video showing two individuals on a motorcycle dragging him by the leash, a sight that will forever haunt them.
Nivedita Ghosh has taken the distressing step of filing a police complaint against Swati Sharma, the owner of the pet boarding service known as Paw’s Point, citing accusations of negligence. According to the Ghosh family, just a day prior to their return to Delhi, Ms. Sharma had reached out, offering a complimentary grooming session for Milo, which Ms. Ghosh accepted, believing it would be a treat for their pet. The situation took a dark turn when, the following day, they received another phone call from Ms. Sharma, stating that Milo had allegedly escaped while being taken back to the facility after his grooming session.
In a frantic search, the family rushed to the location in Noida’s Sector 119 where Milo had gone missing. After extensive efforts turned up empty-handed, they decided to involve the authorities and lodged a police complaint. An FIR was swiftly registered against Ms. Sharma under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, raising serious concerns about the treatment of animals in her care. As the investigation unfolded, local residents were questioned, and reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area revealed a shocking video. The footage depicted two individuals on a motorcycle, dragging Milo by his leash. Disturbingly, the family contends that one of those individuals was an employee of the pet boarding facility, highlighting what they believe to be a severe case of negligence. Witnesses claim Milo was forced to run beside the motorcycle and, at some point, managed to break free, only to tragically be found dead the following day, allegedly as a result of a road accident.
The Ghosh family, utterly heartbroken, has placed the blame squarely on the pet boarding service, asserting that negligence on their part directly resulted in the untimely death of their cherished dog.
“This has crushed us as a family. Milo suffered a brutal fate, beaten and dragged along a busy road, all while two men rode a motorcycle,” Ms. Ghosh shared emotionally. “Coming to terms with this tragedy is incomprehensible. We left him in their care, trusting they would ensure his safety, only to have him returned to us lifeless. Paw’s Point charges Rs 600 for a day of care, and this is how they treat our beloved pets. They claimed Milo jumped out of a car, but how could a dog do that? There was no car involved; he was being dragged along by the bike. His leash was handed over to us as a token of care,” Ms. Ghosh recounted to NDTV, emphasizing her family’s futile attempts to obtain CCTV footage from the pet boarding, a request that was repeatedly denied by Ms. Sharma.
In light of the incident, images of Milo are circulating widely on social media, prompting a growing outcry from pet owners and animal welfare organizations who are demanding stringent penalties for the actions of the pet boarding facility.
When NDTV reached out to Swati Sharma for her perspective on the incident, she vehemently denied allegations that the individuals seen dragging the dog were affiliated with her pet boarding service. “I was driving Milo back after grooming when a lapse in locking the car led to him escaping. I contacted those two individuals, who I knew, to help catch him. Yes, one of them struck the dog, but I felt it was necessary because the dog was aggressive. Afterward, he ran away. I accompanied the family during their search. It was I who called them when we discovered the body. People are quick to label us as murderers. I have not even billed them for Milo’s 17-day stay,” she stated.
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**Interview with Nivedita Ghosh: A Family’s Heartbreak Over Milo’s Tragic Death**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Nivedita. We understand this is a very difficult time for you and your family. Can you share what Milo meant to you?
**Nivedita Ghosh:** Thank you for having me. Milo was not just a pet; he was a part of our family. He brought so much joy and companionship into our lives. His sudden loss has created an unfillable void that has devastated us.
**Editor:** We’re deeply sorry to hear that. Can you walk us through what happened leading up to Milo’s tragic death?
**Nivedita Ghosh:** Of course. We entrusted Milo to a pet boarding facility because we thought he would be safe while we visited our son in Vadodara. Just a day before our return, the owner, Swati Sharma, offered to groom him, which we thought would be a treat for Milo. But the following day, we received alarming news that Milo had escaped during his return to the facility, and that’s when everything spiraled out of control.
**Editor:** That sounds horrifying. After realizing Milo was missing, what steps did you take?
**Nivedita Ghosh:** We rushed to the facility in Noida and searched desperately for him. When we couldn’t find Milo, we knew we had to involve the authorities. We filed a police complaint, and an FIR was registered against Ms. Sharma under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The situation only worsened as we later discovered a shocking video that showed two individuals dragging Milo on a motorcycle.
**Editor:** Watching something like that must have been traumatic. What do you believe was the cause of this tragic incident?
**Nivedita Ghosh:** The video clearly shows negligence, and we believe that one of those individuals was an employee of the boarding facility. It’s unbearable to think that this was how Milo spent his final moments. We firmly believe that this negligence led to his untimely death.
**Editor:** It’s clear this has taken an emotional toll on your entire family. What do you hope will happen next in this situation?
**Nivedita Ghosh:** We are seeking justice for Milo. We want accountability for what happened and changes to ensure that no other family has to go through this heartbreak. It’s crucial to address the treatment of animals in such facilities to prevent future tragedies.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your story, Nivedita. Our hearts go out to you and your family during this painful time.
**Nivedita Ghosh:** Thank you for your support. I hope that by speaking out, we can raise awareness and possibly prevent another family from experiencing this loss.
E Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. We felt it was imperative to seek justice for Milo and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
**Editor:** It’s completely understandable that you took those steps. What was your reaction upon discovering the CCTV footage revealing how Milo met his tragic end?
**Nivedita Ghosh:** The footage was gut-wrenching. To see Milo being dragged by a motorcycle, struggling and scared, was horrifying. Witnesses explained how he was forced to run beside the bike, and our hearts broke even more realizing that one of those individuals might have been associated with the facility. This was pure negligence that led to his brutal death.
**Editor:** It sounds incredibly distressing. Following Milo’s death, there has been significant outcry from the community and animal rights organizations. How has that affected you and your family?
**Nivedita Ghosh:** The support from the community has been overwhelming and heartening during this dark time. Many pet owners and animal lovers have reached out, sharing similar stories of negligence and demanding stronger measures to protect animals. While it doesn’t bring Milo back, it gives us hope that change can happen and that pets can be safer in boarding facilities going forward.
**Editor:** Thank you for your courage in sharing Milo’s story, Nivedita. What message do you wish to convey to pet owners regarding the care of their beloved animals?
**Nivedita Ghosh:** I want to urge pet owners to be vigilant and ensure they are leaving their pets in the right hands. Trust is essential, but we must also be cautious. Our pets rely on us for their safety, and we must advocate for their care. Milo was our companion, and nobody deserves this kind of treatment. We need more accountability and stringent regulations in the pet care industry.
**Editor:** Thank you again for your time, Nivedita. Our hearts go out to you and your family during this difficult time. We hope you find the justice you seek for Milo.
**Nivedita Ghosh:** Thank you so much for having me and for shining a light on this tragic situation.