Two medical students from India who tossed a 5-month-old dog off a roof in a disturbing viral video were arrested by local authorities Wednesday, only to be quickly released on bail. Gautam Sudarshan and Ashish Paul were released hours after being turned over to police by their parents, the Hindustan Timesreported. Animal rights activists have expressed outrage at the incident, calling it a "black day" for animal rights in the country.
The men, both final-year students at the Madha medical school in Chennai, were charged for animal cruelty. However, Mashablereported "anyone accused under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act" can easily avoid imprisonment. Instead, they can be let off with fines as low as 50 rupees (approximately 74 cents) as a first-time offender.
Video of the incident, which can be seen here (WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT), appears to show Sudarshan throwing the puppy named Bhadra from the top of a 5-story building while Paul films the harrowing act of cruelty. According to a Facebook post from local animal rights activist Shravan Krishnan shared Tuesday, Bhadra suffered fractures in her right hind leg and spine. Recovery is expected to last between 4 and 6 weeks, with responding veterinarians estimating the incident captured in the viral video occurred roughly 2 weeks ago.
"With video evidence and so much of public outrage we couldn't remand them even for one day," Krishnan said after the two men were released on bail. "We are extremely disappointed and it's a black day for animal welfare in India." The two students have since been suspended from Madha, according toIndia Today. A college committee has also been appointed to open an internal investigation.
In a statement to Complex, PETA expressed concern regarding the behavior captured on video and called for the students to be permanently expelled:
PETA India publicized this video from the moment that the group heard about it and is now rejoicing that the students were found and suspended as a result. It's despicable that people would get their kicks from filming themselves throwing a dog off a roof. The individuals involved should cause everyone to be concerned, because a lack of empathy and a desire to exert power over the helpless invariably manifest themselves in other antisocial ways, including further violent crimes. The students should be expelled—no one who shows such a shocking lack of regard for life should be allowed to practice medicine.
