The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Gilbert Phiri, has defended his decision not to prosecute a case involving a 15-year-old boy from Kaunda Square who became permanently disabled after being mauled by dogs belonging to Indian nationals.
The attack resulted in the amputation of both his hands.
In a statement, the DPP says investigations revealed that the boy had entered private commercial premises at night and stole motor vehicle rearview mirrors before being spotted by the guard dogs.
He reportedly scaled a perimeter wall to gain unauthorized access.
Mr. Phiri has explained that the dogs acted instinctively and there is no evidence that the owners commanded or encouraged the attack.
He has added that the mauling was a direct and tragic consequence of the boy’s own criminal actions in breaching the secured property.
The DPP further says while the outcome is tragic, his mandate is to apply the law based on evidence, and therefore the matter could not be taken to court.
By Darius Choonya
