Jogger mauled by unmuzzled Rottweiler in Mumbai, undergoes surgery; dog owner, handler booked

Mumbai: A 39-year-old jogger suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a pet Rottweiler while jogging along Carter Road in Bandra (West) on Monday, prompting police to book the dog’s owner and handler. The victim of Santacruz (West), underwent surgery for injuries to his private parts and is currently recuperating in hospital.According to victim’s complaint, he was jogging on the Carter Road promenade between Khad Galli and the Otters Club area when he noticed a man sitting on a bench with a Rottweiler whose muzzle had been removed. The dog allegedly rushed towards him without warning, knocked him to the ground and bit him in his private parts, causing severe injuries.Victim stated that the handler attempted to control the dog after the attack. He then asked the man to contact his wife. The handler reportedly shared his name and the name of his employer before leaving the spot. Victim was later rushed to Holy Family Hospital by his wife, where he underwent surgery.Victim could not be contacted despite TOI making repeated attempts to reach him on Thursday. TOI is in possession of the FIR. The reason behind the attack remains unclear.The dog’s owner, Yogesh Talekar (39), who runs a cable business and lives in the Vakola area, said he was shocked by the incident and has been trying to determine why the handler, Sahil Walekar, took the dog to Carter Road instead of its usual walking route near the Kalina Military Campus.“Whatever happened is not right,” Talekar said. “I rushed to the hospital after receiving a call from the Khar police and spoke with victim’s uncle, who informed me that he was undergoing surgery. I assured to help but was unable to meet the total medical expenses which they said would come to Rs 5 lakh. I am trying to overcome some financial problems after my wife’s death in August 2025, and spent around Rs 22 lakh for her treatment,” Talekar told TOI.Talekar said he had specifically instructed Walekar to walk the three-year-old Rottweiler in the quieter Kalina locality and never remove its muzzle during walks. “On that day, he took the dog to Carter Road despite my instructions not to change the route,” he said.The owner added that the dog holds deep emotional significance for him, as it was purchased by his late wife. The couple, who had no children during their 12-year marriage, treated the dog like their child.Talekar said he had temporarily kept the dog at a pet care centre after his wife’s death but brought it back in Nov 2025 when the facility shut down. He subsequently hired Walekar to handle and walk the animal.Following the incident, the Khar police summoned both Talekar and Walekar for questioning. A case has been registered against them under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Both were served notices and later allowed to leave.Talekar said Walekar failed to immediately inform him about the attack. “He returned home with the dog and waited for me. Only a few hours later did he call to say that the police were looking for me because my dog had attacked a jogger,” he said, adding that he has since terminated the handler’s services.