An issue regarding the treatment of stray dogs on the Indian Air Force (IAF) Headquarters Training Command campus near Mehkri Circle has ignited controversy. The Animal Husbandry Department of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) conducted an inspection on Wednesday following an anonymous complaint about alleged animal cruelty.
The complaint, which surfaced on social media, claimed that Air Force officials had illegally captured and caged several street dogs on the campus. This action was purportedly justified by the authorities under the guise of facilitating the Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programmes. The complaint was further exacerbated by a recent tragic incident at Jalahalli Air Force Station, where a street dog attack led to the death of a 76-year-old woman, which heightened public scrutiny and concern. The social media post, dated Tuesday, criticised the Air Force for not only capturing but also threatening residents to avoid feeding the dogs.
The post alleged that the dogs, which had lived on the campus for years, were now confined without any prior approval from BBMP. Upon inspection, BBMP officials confirmed that five dogs had been captured and were being kept in an enclosed area. The Air Force authorities maintained that this measure was part of their efforts to support the ABC/ARV initiatives, but failed to obtain necessary permissions from BBMP. BBMP’s Special Commissioner (Health) remarked that the forceful caging of stray dogs, without BBMP’s consent, contravenes established protocols. The Air Force has since been advised against such actions in the future. Animal welfare advocates have emphasised that the responsibility for capturing stray dogs for ABC and ARV procedures lies with BBMP.
According to Citizens for Animal Birth Control, the Air Force should have coordinated with BBMP to ensure compliance with the rules. There is also a call for the BBMP to secure a formal commitment from the Air Force to refrain from relocating the dogs after the programme. An animal welfare activist, highlighted the need for a long-term solution rather than merely relocating the dogs, stressing the importance of neutering to control the stray population sustainably. In a clarification issued by the commanding officer of the IAF unit, it was stated that a dedicated dog shelter had been established on the campus. The five captured dogs will be handed over to BBMP for the ABC programme and will be returned to their original location post-treatment. The dogs are reportedly being provided with food and water in the interim.
