Indians held for breaking protocols in puppy party

AHMEDABAD — Every dog must have its day, but one young pup in India landed her human companions in hot water after policemen raided a COVID-19 rule-breaking party staged for the coddled canine.

The lavish second birthday celebration cost 700,000 rupees (nearly $10,000), according to the police, with an elaborate birthday cake and giant photo cutouts of Abby, an Indian Spitz, and the soiree’s guest of honor.

Social media footage showed a crowd of people dancing in front of an ornate stage at the party, held in the western city of Ahmedabad, with their defiance of local social distancing rules eventually attracting the attention of authorities.

“We got information about a big party going on, so we raided the venue,” police inspector V.D. Zala said.

160,000 cases

“As per COVID protocol, it is necessary to take permission before organizing a party. The organizers are responsible for ensuring social distancing among guests,” he added.

Three men were arrested for their role in staging the event but they were later released on bail.

India recorded nearly 160,000 COVID-19 cases overnight, up nearly sixfold from a week earlier, in an infection surge driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Local officials have watched the sharply rising case numbers with alarm and some of India’s biggest urban centers have moved to reimpose movement restrictions.