Viral Video shows dog carrying newborn at Jharkhand Hospital, search launched

Palamu: Authorities in Jharkhand have launched a search at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) in Palamu after a viral video purportedly showed a stray dog carrying a newborn in its mouth on the hospital premises. 

The incident came to the administration’s attention after the video circulated widely on social media. During an initial search, officials inspected several parts of the hospital campus but could not establish the whereabouts of the newborn or locate the dog.

A team led by senior district and police officials searched areas near the post-mortem house and surrounding bushes. The administration subsequently directed the sub-divisional officer to coordinate with the hospital superintendent, local police and the municipal corporation to expand the search.

Officials have also been instructed to review CCTV footage from the area, deploy a police dog squad and gather information from community health workers, nearby residents and passers-by. The measures are intended to establish whether the video depicts an actual incident at the hospital and determine what happened to the newborn.

Explaining the administration’s response, the deputy commissioner said, "We searched various areas of the hospital campus for the newborn, including the vicinity of the post-mortem house and nearby shrubbery," PTI reported.

The district administration has said the investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the video and whether any lapse occurred at the hospital. Authorities are continuing efforts to verify the footage and trace the newborn and the dog.

“The primary objective of the administration is to locate the newborn, verify the facts surrounding the incident, and uncover any negligence to fix accountability and ensure that appropriate action is taken in accordance with the law,” the deputy commissioner said.

The findings of the search and the review of available CCTV footage are expected to help establish the authenticity of the video and whether further action is required.