Hyderabad News: A 20-year-old woman died by suicide 30 minutes after her pet cat died. The incident took place in Hyderabad, where the woman was distraught
over the passing of her pet, police said on Thursday. The incident has deeply disturbed her family, who told police that the deceased was very attached to the animal. Several research papers and global studies have suggested that the grief following the death of a pet can feel similar to the loss of a human being. Such non-human relationships can push a person into deep sadness and a sense of emotional void. Hence, it becomes important to acknowledge and address the grief associated with the loss of a pet. Also Read: Pushed Onto Tracks by Mother, MP’s 8-Year-Old Survives Horror as Train Passes Over - But… What Happened? The 20-year-old woman was a Bachelor of Science (BSc) student. Her cat died on Wednesday morning, and about 30 minutes later, she consumed a poisonous substance at her home. The woman’s parents rushed her to a hospital, but she died while undergoing treatment, reported The Times of India. Her parents told police that she took the extreme step as she was unable to cope with the death of her pet, though further investigation is underway. A study by the National Library of Medicine states that the bond between a pet and its owner includes both physical and emotional dimensions, which can be severely affected by the death of a companion animal. “It creates a feeling that life is left with a void and the house feels utterly empty. Unlike the loss of a child, spouse, or parent—which becomes a shared tragedy—others may not fully understand the depth of sadness experienced by a grieving pet owner. Emotional pain and physical distress due to the loss of a companion animal can be significant. A major challenge for the medical community is to anticipate, identify, and address these physical and psychosocial burdens in a timely manner,” the study noted.
