55‑year‑old man from Princes Town was bitten by his own Cane Corso after fireworks during Divali celebrations. He was injured on Sunday night around 8:30 pm at his home on Gunness Circular. The dog reportedly became agitated by the loud explosions and attacked his right forearm.
The dog’s jaws locked onto the forearm, causing injuries. The animal was eventually subdued by the owner, and the man was taken by a relative to the Princes Town Health Facility for treatment.
Medical staff confirmed the man was in stable condition and administered medication. He is expected to be transferred to San Fernando General Hospital for further observation. Police Mobile Patrol visited the facility and requested a medical report; the investigation is ongoing.
The incident comes as Trinidad and Tobago observes its first Divali under stricter fireworks regulations introduced in December 2025. Fireworks may be discharged only between 8 pm and 9 pm on public holidays and are prohibited within half a mile of hospitals, airports, zoos, animal shelters, farms, forest reserves and national parks.
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 said the incident was not caused by fireworks, contradicting the police report.