YouTuber Gaurav Taneja, popularly known as Flying Beast, is once again facing questions on social media.
His pet dog Mau, a Labrador who had earlier appeared in his family vlogs, has reportedly died.
The controversy grew after social media posts raised questions about Mau’s health and final days. However, the claims circulating online have not been independently verified.
Mau was moved to the farmhouse in 2025
Mau became a topic of discussion in March 2025 when viewers noticed he was no longer appearing in Gaurav’s vlogs.
In a video titled ‘Where is Mau?’, Gaurav explained that the dog had been shifted to the family’s farmhouse. He said having the dog at home had become difficult for his family and also referred to religious reasons for the decision.
Fans questioned why the dog was separated from the family
Gaurav’s explanation did not convince his fans. Several viewers criticised the decision to move Mau away from the family house.
Some fans accused him of abandoning the dog, while others said that pets should be close to their families.
The criticism became a major discussion across social media, although these reactions were opinions of viewers and did not establish anything wrong.
Questions have now returned after Mau’s reported death
The latest controversy began after fitness creator Pushpendra Choudhary shared social media posts questioning Mau’s condition before his reported death. The posts included claims that Mau had been unwell and had stopped eating. They also raised questions about his treatment and medical care.
Reports said the dog was taken to a hospital in Meerut and was allegedly advised to be taken to Delhi. These claims have not been independently verified.
No confirmed cause of Mau’s death has been established
At present, there is no publicly established information confirming Mau’s exact cause of death or showing that any particular action or lack of action caused it. Taneja has also not been publicly quoted in the material reviewed responding specifically to these latest allegations.
Veterinary records or a detailed account from those involved in Mau’s care would be needed to establish what happened.
A 2018 stray-dog case also brought him into controversy
Taneja has faced an earlier legal controversy involving a stray dog. According to a Delhi court judgment, he was accused of assaulting a stray dog in Pitampura in April 2018, after which the animal died. He faced trial under Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code. However, the court acquitted him in August 2024.
The judgment recorded that a key eyewitness had not actually seen Taneja beating the dog.
Divorce rumours with wife Ritu Rathee
Gaurav Taneja and his wife, pilot Ritu Rathee, also faced divorce rumours in 2024 after a video of Ritu speaking about her personal struggles went viral.
Gaurav asked people not to make assumptions about their marriage and said he wanted to remain quiet for his children. Ritu later addressed the speculation herself, saying that a personal issue had occurred between the couple but that it was not for social media to decide who was right or wrong.
Neither Gaurav nor Ritu confirmed that they had divorced, and both later dismissed the divorce rumours
AirAsia controversy made headlines in 2020
Before becoming a full-time content creator, Taneja worked as a commercial pilot. In 2020, he alleged that AirAsia India was violating safety norms and said he had been suspended by the airline.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) subsequently issued a show-cause notice to AirAsia India and said it had started an investigation into the issues raised. AirAsia, however, said it stood by its safety standards and was cooperating with the regulator.
Birthday celebration led to his arrest in 2022
In July 2022, Taneja was arrested by Noida Police after a large crowd gathered outside Sector 51 Metro station for his birthday. According to police, he had booked a Metro coach for the celebration. The gathering led to a traffic-related disruption outside the station.
The incident quickly became another major talking point around the YouTuber.
Child-abuse allegation was challenged in court
Another controversy emerged after Taneja posted a video showing his elder daughter’s ears being pierced.
A news report described the incident as child abuse, following which Taneja approached the court. In 2022, the Delhi High Court directed the publication to take down the article, observing that piercing the ears of a girl child could not itself be termed child abuse.
From pilot to one of India’s popular vloggers
Taneja has built a large online following through his Flying Beast channel, where he has shared content about his family, fitness, aviation and daily life.
Over the years, several incidents involving his professional life, family content and pets have attracted public attention. The latest Mau controversy has once again put his treatment of the dog under discussion, but the current allegations should be separated from facts that have been legally established.
