DRDO Bengaluru Estate Manager Served Notice Over Alleged Illegal Dog Capture
The Bengaluru Central city corporation has formally issued a notice to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) estate manager, demanding an explanation following serious allegations from animal welfare volunteers. The volunteers claim that 22 community dogs were illegally captured and removed from the DRDO Phase II Township campus located in CV Raman Nagar.
Allegations of Cruelty and Illegal Removal
According to the detailed complaint filed by the volunteers, the dogs—many of which had already been sterilized—were captured in a particularly cruel and inhumane manner. The volunteers allege that the animals had their mouths and legs tied before being sealed inside plastic bags for transportation out of the campus premises. A video clip purportedly showing the incident has been widely circulated on social media platforms, sparking significant public outrage and raising critical questions about who is authorized to capture stray dogs and the proper protocols for their handling.
The activists further stated that the dogs were taken away last week, and their current whereabouts remain completely unknown, adding to concerns about their welfare and safety.
Official Notice and Legal Violations Cited
In response to the complaint, the assistant director of animal husbandry at the Central corporation took official action by issuing a formal notice to the DRDO estate manager on March 6. The notice explicitly states that if the allegations are verified and found to be true, such actions constitute clear violations of key animal protection legislation.
The cited laws include the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 and the recently implemented Animal Birth Control Rules from 2023. The civic body emphasized that under the animal birth control regulations, the capture, sterilization, vaccination, and subsequent release of community dogs can only be performed by agencies specifically authorized by and operating under the direct supervision of the urban local body.
Strict Prohibition on Relocation and Demand for Report
The notice from the Bengaluru Central corporation also highlighted a crucial point: the relocation of dogs from their original territory is strictly prohibited under the rules. This underscores the gravity of the alleged removal from the DRDO campus. The civic authority has directed the DRDO estate management to submit a comprehensive and detailed report addressing the allegations within a strict deadline of three days from the issuance of the notice.
This incident has ignited a broader debate on animal welfare protocols in urban areas and the responsibilities of large institutional campuses in managing community animals. The outcome of the DRDO's response and the corporation's investigation is now eagerly awaited by activists and the public alike.
