Even by its own high standards of shamelessness, the city seems to have plunged to new depths when it comes to animal cruelty. Yesterday, we were constrained to dim festive cheer, with a report on two dogs that became the target of unbelievable cruelty. In one instance, a nine-month-old stray dog was attacked with acid or boiling water in Goregaon. In another horrendous incident, a dog’s snout was blasted open with a firecracker.

These two are so disturbing simply because of the depravity they show. We see dogs and cats, and many other animals subjected to all kinds of harassment. This, though, is absolutely shocking and should shake the most cynical person.