KOLKATA, India, Aug 23: A four-year-old boy was hospitalized after being attacked by a Customs dog at Kolkata’s NSCBI Airport on Aug. 12, forcing his family to cancel a planned holiday to Malaysia, officials and family members said.

The child, identified as Anav Jain, sustained deep scratches on his back and is undergoing a treatment protocol requiring five doses of immunization over 28 days.

The dog, a four-year-old female Alsatian named Nancy, was trained for narcotics detection at the Customs Canine Centre at Attari, airport sources said. Customs officials declined to comment on the incident.

Anav’s father, Rounak Jain, filed a complaint with the airport police on Aug. 19, alleging the dog handler failed to control the animal, resulting in a “severe-category” injury.

“My four-year-old son fell victim to a vicious attack by a Customs department dog named Nancy while we were en route to departure Gate 4A & 48 for our flight to Malaysia. The incompetent dog handler failed to control the dog, resulting in an unprovoked and severe-category injury to my child,” the FIR said.

Jain added that despite their calls for help, the handler “deserted his post and absconded with the dog, leaving us to deal with the traumatic aftermath alone.” He also criticized airport authorities for showing “a shocking lack of empathy and urgency,” saying the airport doctor initially downplayed the severity of the bite. The family’s request for CCTV footage was also denied, he said.

Bidhannagar police confirmed an FIR has been registered against the dog handler under a BNS section, punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of Rs 500, or both. Airport authorities said they are investigating the claims.

The family took Anav to a private hospital in New Town, where he received overnight treatment and follow-ups for a week. Anav’s uncle, Roshan Jain, said the family had just entered the airport for their Malaysia and Singapore trip.

“Anav was so happy, and we clicked his photo. Moments later, he was attacked by the dog. For 15 minute,s we received no help till CISF personnel fetched the airport doctor. The doctor, shockingly, asked us to continue with the trip,” Roshan told the Times of India.