RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
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A 55-year-old Princes Town man was injured after his pet Cane Corso reportedly became agitated by fireworks and bit his right forearm on Sunday night.
The incident occurred around 8.30 pm at the man’s home along Gunness Circular, Princes Town, as he watched fireworks being discharged during Divali celebrations.
According to a police report, the dog began barking uncontrollably amid the loud explosions before becoming agitated and attacking its owner.
The dog’s jaws reportedly locked onto the man’s right forearm, causing injuries.
The animal was eventually subdued, and the man was taken by a relative to the Princes Town Health Facility for medical attention.
A Princes Town Mobile Patrol team subsequently visited the facility and was informed by medical personnel that the man was in stable condition.
He was administered medication and was expected to be transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital for further observation.
Police requested a medical report, and enquiries are continuing.
The incident comes as Trinidad and Tobago observes its first Divali under the stricter fireworks regulations introduced in December 2025.
Under the Summary Offences (Amendment) Act, 2025, fireworks may be discharged without a police permit on public holidays only between 8 pm and 9 pm.
The legislation also prohibits their use within half a mile of hospitals, airports, zoos, registered animal shelters, farms where animals are reared, forest reserves and national parks.
Ahead of Divali, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar reminded citizens to observe the restrictions and consider the impact of loud explosions on elderly people, young children and animals.
However, relatives of the injured man, when contacted, denied that the incident occurred because of fireworks and said the information contained in the police report was incorrect.
