Prayagraj: Nearly three years after an Allahabad high court lawyer launched an exhaustive legal battle over the alleged negligent death of his pet dog, Johny, the dog care centre at the heart of the controversy was sealed by the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) on Friday over alleged encroachment on nazul land and unauthorised use of the premises.While the sealing action was unrelated to the 2023 incident, the development brought a sense of relief to the lawyer, Anubhav Parihar, who said his fight for accountability was still continuing.The dog care centre, located near the Indian Press Crossing on Panna Lal Road, was sealed after the PDA found that the building had allegedly been constructed on nazul land. Officials said the owner had earlier been served a notice and given an opportunity to submit documents supporting the property’s status. However, the documents submitted were found unsatisfactory during scrutiny, prompting the sealing action. PDA officials maintained that revenue records showed the entire building stood on nazul land, while the operator claimed the property was freehold.For Parihar, the action marked another milestone in his long pursuit of justice for his pet Bhutia dog, Johny, who died shortly after being taken to the same facility for grooming on Sept 10, 2023.According to Parihar, Johny was healthy when he was taken for a haircut. However, the dog reportedly collapsed and died soon after returning home. The following day, Parihar approached the Colonelganj police seeking action but alleged that no FIR was registered.What followed was an unprecedented campaign. Parihar filed around 350 RTI applications, submitted nearly 200 complaints to seven government departments, and pursued the matter before authorities ranging from the Prayagraj administration to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Chief Minister’s Office. Investigations were subsequently initiated by multiple agencies, while the medical store licence operating from the premises was cancelled.According to information obtained through RTI, the dog was allegedly administered an anaesthetic injection without the owner’s consent. Parihar also claimed that documents revealed a veterinary practitioner was operating from a medical store, which he alleged violated applicable norms.Although the centre has now been sealed, Parihar said he would continue his legal battle and was preparing to move the Allahabad HC seeking action against those responsible for his pet’s death.
