Mumbai: Pet kidnapped over Rs 4,000 unpaid dues

The security supervisor of a Juhu-based housing society allegedly kidnapped a building resident’s pet Pomeranian on April 15, only to use the dog as bait to recover Rs 4000, which he claims was deducted from his salary by his agency the previous month. The accused, Rajendra Pandharkar, 30, was captured by a CCTV camera entering an autorickshaw with the dog, Prixy, and is allegedly demanding Rs 25,000 (which is his monthly salary amount) from the contractor in exchange for the 14-year-old canine.

Prixy’s owner, Aditi Joshi, a resident of Rustomjee Ciroc tower in Juhu, has approached the Juhu police station, where an FIR has been registered against Pandharkar.

CCTV footage showing the accused allegedly entering an autorickshaw with the canine

Aditi told Mid-Day, “Prixy has been with us for 14 years. He’s not just a pet—he’s family.”

According to the police, the society had hired a private agency to provide security services. On the morning of the incident, Pandharkar took Prixy for a walk as per his routine. However, the security supervisor, who had resumed work after a brief absence, allegedly took the dog and disappeared.

Prixy at his Juhu residence in happier times

Aditi said, “Pandharkar had been working in our society for years. He had a dispute with the agency over unpaid dues. Though he left the job a month ago, he came back a week before the incident. When we tried contacting him after he failed to return to our flat with Prixy, we found that his phone was switched off. We searched across Juhu, Vile Parle and Andheri, but there was no trace of either him or Prixy.”

Aditi’s father, Manav Joshi, added, “Prixy suffers from arthritis and needs daily medication and injections twice a month. We feed him only hygienic food due to his condition. We are extremely worried about his health and well-being.”

As he suffers from age-related arthritis, Prixy’s diet chiefly comprises hypoallergenic dog food

He added, “Pandharkar was receiving Rs 25,000 a month, but due to a dispute with the contractor, he received Rs 21,000 last month. According to the other security guards, Pandharkar had been demanding the Rs 4000 from the agency. After kidnapping Prixy, he sent a message through a security guard, stating that the contractor deposit Rs 25,000 into his account then only he will return the dog,” Manav Joshi further said.

Medical woes

Dr Hitesh Swali, Prixy `s veterinarian, who has been treating the dog since he was born, said, “Being quite aged, he suffers from arthritis, which affects his bones. Pomeranians usually don’t take oral medicines easily, so I have been giving him injections twice a month. He also takes daily medication. If Prixy does not receive his medicines on time, his pain will worsen, leading to serious discomfort and complications.”

A police officer said, “We have registered an FIR against Pandharkar under Section 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita [which deals with criminal breach of trust]. CCTV footage shows the accused boarding an autorickshaw and later a train from Andheri station. We are coordinating with the railway police to trace his whereabouts.”

Rs 25,000
Amount accused is demanding for Prixy’s release

Rs 21,000
Amount accused was paid last month by the agency due to a dispute