Second Campus Dog Death at IIT-H Sparks Probe
Goutham alleged that the dog was beaten by unknown persons, while IIT‑H said its CCTV checks and the post‑mortem had so far produced no evidence to establish an assault.
Hyderabad:Sangareddy Rural police have registered a case after a community dog at IIT Hyderabad died with injuries, the second such incident on the campus within a month, according to animal welfare activist Adulapuram Goutham. Goutham alleged that the dog was beaten by unknown persons, while IIT‑H said its CCTV checks and the post‑mortem had so far produced no evidence to establish an assault.
Police registered an FIR on October 1 under Section 325 of the BNS. The complaint states that the dog was allegedly beaten at IIT‑H, Kandi, on September 27, sustained severe injuries and subsequently died, but the accused remain unidentified.
Goutham, cruelty prevention manager at Stray Animal Foundation of India (SAFI), said the precise time of the alleged assault was unknown and that the 4 pm timing in his complaint was an estimate. “This is the second time in one month,” he said.
The death of another campus dog, Wolfy, was reported on August 26. IIT‑H had then said it found nothing suspicious. Students had also complained about injuries to community dogs and hostility towards feeders, while the institute said more than 90 per cent of campus dogs had been vaccinated and sterilised.
An IIT‑H official said the latest dog died on September 27 after sustaining injuries. A video showed it limping, but the institute said the video was sent to an NGO instead of campus authorities. “If the institute had been informed, we could have taken the dog to a vet and tried to save it,” the official said.
Police later came to the campus after the NGO’s complaint, and IIT‑H said it cooperated with the search. CCTV footage showed nothing conclusive, and the post‑mortem could not determine the cause of death because the body had decomposed.
“We are as enraged for the dog’s death as are others,” the official said, adding, “Any cruelty is not tolerated.”
IIT‑H said designated feeding areas have been provided about 300 metres from hostels in accordance with Supreme Court directions, and discussions are continuing with municipal authorities on rehabilitation of campus dogs.