Residents save stray dog

Rohith BR & K Sunil Prasad
BENGALURU: Ramu is a familiar name in the lanes and bylanes of Jeevanahalli, near Cox Town, East Bengaluru. The stray dog is treated like a pet by residents of Jeevanahalli. When Ramu was hit by a stray bullet on an Army campus recently in the city, residents worked together to snatch the four-year-old dog from the jaws of certain death, and get it a fresh lease of life.
On December 22, Ramu was horsing around when children of the locality were playing with a ball next to the MEG & Centre campus in the area. The ball strayed into the campus and within seconds, the area echoed with what appeared to be a gunshot.
S Saraswati, a resident who works with a small scale industry, told TOI, "We saw the dog lying near the gate. It was bleeding profusely from its face. It looked like a bullet had pierced his face," she said.
Saraswati, with help from other residents, rushed the dog to a nearby government veterinary hospital. "We just couldn't leave Ramu like that. He has been around here since his birth. Fortunately, the doctor there was able to save Ramu," she said.
Gangadhara R, another resident and bank employee, said they checked with the MEG staff and were told the bullet was fired by mistake. "They told us it was an accident and there was no intention to kill the dog," he claimed.
The dog is recuperating on Saraswati's doorstep. A medical assistant with the veterinary hospital said it will take another 15 days for Ramu's recovery. "He was lucky. The bullet entered close to his mouth and exited from the other side of the face. Thanks to residents of the area, who took him for treatment at the right time," he added.
Residents have decided to pool in money for Ramu's further treatment.