Representative photo
BENGALURU: What should have been an ordinary, even joyful, phase of life has been violently upended for 31-year-old Shalini Kumari Dubey, a Bengaluru professional and mother to a 17-month-old toddler.Days that once revolved around work, cuddles and caring for her breastfeeding child are now spent in a hospital bed, recovering from a brutal dog attack that has left her with more than 80 stitches across her face, throat and head — and scars that go far beyond the physical.Early on Jan 26, Shalini had stepped out for morning walk near home in HSR Layout’s Teachers’ Colony.A neighbour’s pet Rottweiler allegedly released onto the road without a leash or muzzle, lunged at her, pinning her to the ground and attacking her face and neck.CCTV footage shows the dog charging at the woman the moment its owner opened the gate.“There was no chain, no muzzle, no safety measures,” said Shalini’s husband Satya Prakash Dubey. Shalini survived, but only just. She underwent nearly eight hours of surgery. One deep wound, 7cm long, was dangerously close to her airway. “Another centimetre and it could have been fatal,” Satya Prakash said.Doctors have warned that some scars may be permanent. Hospitalised for more than a week, Shalini struggles with flashbacks and anxiety and has begun consulting a clinical psychologist. For Shalini, the big worry is whether her young child will recognise her due to her facial injuries. A police complaint was filed after the hospital flagged it as a medico-legal case. An FIR was registered against the dog’s owner, N Amaresh Reddy, for negligence. Neighbours claim the dog had displayed aggressive behaviour earlier as well. Satya Prakash said a delivery executive was once attacked.“There were warnings. The owners ought to have acted back then. This is not about dogs-versus-humans. This is about irresponsible ownership. My wife’s life changed forever. No family should go through this,” Satya Prakash said.
