Mumbai businessman moves high court after housing society stopped his blind dog from using lift

Ashish Goyal had adopted Ozzy four years ago after the blind puppy had fallen into a pond and was rescued in the nick of time. When Goyal got to know about its plight, he took the puppy home immediately. (Representational image: Unsplash)

A 51-year-old businessman from Mumbai has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) at the Bombay High Court after his Lower Parel housing society declared that his blind dog would not be allowed to use any of their three lifts.

Ashish Goyal lives in a cooperative housing society that has four towers with 36 storeys each and 229 flats in total. The towers are connected and share common areas and facilities such as lobbies, lifts, parking, garden, gym etc.

He said that the problem started on January 14 last year when a society member stopped Goyal from using the lift since he was accompanied by his pet dog, Ozzy, the Free Press Journal reported. The member accused Goyal of violating the rules of the society. Upset by the incident, when Goyal filed a non-cognisable complaint against the member, other society members reportedly made false claims and incited the whole society against him and other pet owners.

On February 24, 2024, Goyal complained to the police about the "hostile environment against pet-owners in the society" and the next day, a notice on "Policy and guidelines on pets for residents of Marathon Era CHS) was issued by the committee."

Goyal has alleged that these rules and penalties were in gross violation of guidelines issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act. Speaking to the publication, his lawyer Siddh Vidya said that even though there were laws and rules framed under them to protect the rights of animals, they were not at all implemented. "This PIL is to ensure that the rights of animals are upheld by all," she said.

Goyal had adopted Ozzy four years ago after the blind puppy had fallen into a pond and was rescued in the nick of time. When Goyal got to know about its plight, he took the puppy home immediately.