Tinnu Anand defends his statement on stray dogs post facing backlash: 'I’m ignoring it completely…'

Veteran Bollywood actor-director Tinnu Anand is embroiled in controversy following a WhatsApp message where he threatened stray dogs near his Mumbai residence. His aggressive comments, targeting dog lovers and threatening the animals with a hockey stick, have drawn criticism from animal rights groups, residents, and online users.

In a recent interview, Datta stated he has the right to self-defense if attacked by a stray dog. The actor, appearing upset, discussed the issue of stray dogs in his area and mentioned his daughter's upcoming surgery due to a dog attack.

“This is absolutely what I meant because my daughter has broken her wrist and she’s been treated since the last one month and it cost me ?90,000 for her being operated twice now. Her pet dog was attacked by 3 stray dogs in our society and in trying to save her dog she fell and broke her wrist. I want to talk to these dog lovers. If they doubt these dogs so much they feed them, they look after them, then why not put a leash on them? Ask the convenience store near the society- his delivery man has been attacked twice and now they have stopped delivering because they don’t want to be attacked by the dogs," Tinnu told Free Press Journal.

I’m 80 years old and if any dog attacks me, I have every right to defend myself. That is what I meant. That is what these people should have understood anyway. Everyone’s got diuretic fingers, you know, moving towards the mobiles, typing away messages, which is fine with me because I’m ignoring it completely, because I know what I have written. This is not the first case where dogs have attacked. There are so many cases when these incidents have happened

- Tinnu Anand

Tinnu Datta stated that he believes Indian courts would not object to self-defense against stray dogs. This follows recent social media backlash after Datta posted a message threatening to harm stray dogs with hockey sticks.

“Have come back after a horrifying shoot to be greeted by terrifying dogs barking and not knowing who to bite next… Challenge taken. Have a hockey stick to face them… am warning all dog lovers hereon… take them home OR then face my wrath… my society is given advance notice," he had written.