Students reacted to viral chats wishing harm to the dogs, saying the messages were part of wider hostility
HYDERABAD: The dispute over community dogs on the IIT Hyderabad campus has intensified, with students who feed and care for the animals alleging starvation, serious injuries and harassment, while the institute maintains it is following animal‑welfare norms and balancing canine welfare with campus safety.
Students reacted to viral chats wishing harm to the dogs, saying the messages were part of wider hostility. They alleged that feeders were being targeted in groups they call “IITH street dog haters”, where photographs of caregivers are circulated and complaints discussed. They said the practice had deepened divisions among students that could have been addressed through an animal‑welfare committee.
“There is severe starvation among the dogs on campus. Many puppies have died,” a student told Deccan Chronicle, alleging that designated feeding zones were far from interior areas and did not correspond with the dogs’ territories. Students also claimed water bowls were being broken or removed, raising concerns about dehydration.
They alleged that guards and other students photograph or record people feeding dogs outside designated zones and send the material to the administration, leading to warnings, fines of ₹5,000, complaints to teachers and even removal from hostels. Two students were allegedly removed for feeding dogs.
Students said some dogs had suffered serious injuries. One was found with a severe limp and taken to hospital, where conservative treatment was given instead of implants. They also alleged that guards had injured dogs, including causing femur fractures, and referred to another dog that was allegedly beaten and later died after helpers were denied entry.
IIT Hyderabad said it “does not support cruelty to animals” and was committed to “humane and scientifically informed canine population management”. It said more than 90 per cent of campus dogs had been vaccinated and sterilised with support from Blue Cross Hyderabad, Navodaya Vet Society and People for Animals, Hyderabad.
On feeding, the institute said it had designated points 300–500 metres from hostels and academic buildings to facilitate responsible feeding while reducing congregations in high‑footfall areas. Students feeding dogs in populated areas were being warned to follow the policy, which it said was within AWBI guidelines.
On alleged WhatsApp groups and discussions about harming dogs, IIT‑H said it regularly issued advisories on animal management in line with AWBI norms. On the death of campus dog Wolfy on Aug. 26, it said “nothing suspicious” was found.
The institute said it faced difficulties in securing timely veterinary services, as agencies were not always available, and added that some students had resisted vaccination drives. It said the residential campus housed students, children, faculty, staff, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and families, and that it had to balance animal welfare with “public health, hygiene and safety of its entire residential community”.
It said it would continue sterilisation, vaccination, designated feeding, monitoring of the dog population and measures to prevent human‑animal conflict. Students have sought an animal‑welfare committee to address disputes and said the administration had indicated plans to implement Supreme Court directions on stray dogs, including removal from institutional premises.
A complaint lodged by an animal‑welfare activist has been forwarded to Sangareddy police.
