Four killed in brawl over dog poo

Probably for the first time in canine history, four people were killed and four others critically injured over the bowel movements of a pet dog. Two families in Dudwa village in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, whipped out guns and sharp weapons and shot and stabbed each other as the pet dog of one of the families chose to defecate as usual in front of the neighbour's door. The dog was reported to be alive and well.

Dharam Singh's pet dog had pooed in front of neighbour Yogendra's house. Earlier, Yogendra had objected to the dog's habit of relieving himself in front of the house. On Wednesday, the two families had an argument and then an exchange of blows over the matter. Soon, both sides pulled out guns and sharp-edged weapons, and a free-for-all ensued in which eight people were injured.



By the time other neighbours could intervene, the two sides had fired at each other, fatally injuring Dharam Singh's wife Nirmala and nephews Pravesh and Brijendra. Yogendra suffered stab and gunshot wounds. Four others, belonging to the two sides, suffered minor injuries. The injured were taken to the Baghpat CHC about half an hour away from the village. Brijendra died before he could reach the hospital. Nirmala, Pravesh and Yogendra were allegedly left unattended at the CHC for over two hours since there was no one to attend to them. By the time the doctor on duty arrived, it was too late to save them.

SP Baghpat Laxmi Singh said though Dharam Singh's cousin Brijendra had suffered fatal injuries, the remaining three died due to excessive bleeding since they were left unattended at the CHC for almost two hours. "I have written a letter to the district magistrate to initiate action against those responsible for the state of affairs at the CHC because had they been in place at least three of the victims could have been saved," Laxmi Singh said. Because of the delay on the part of the police in responding, the Baghpat police chief suspended an inspector, two SIs and a constable.