Dog deaths inside IIT Hyderabad spark row over animal welfare; students allege punitive action taken over giving food

Allegations of cruelty towards stray dogs and action against students feeding them have triggered a dispute over animal welfare at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H), with students seeking a formal mechanism to protect community dogs and address complaints.

A document shared with The Hindu lists six students who were allegedly subjected to action by the Hostel Coordinating Unit (HCU) in connection with dogs, including removal from hostel accommodation. The allegations concern hostel-related action, not expulsion from the institute. IIT-H has meanwhile denied any action against students for feeding dogs.

Students allege action over feeding dogs

The document shared by students lists incidents involving students who were allegedly questioned or penalised for feeding dogs on campus. These include two M.Tech students who were allegedly harassed in May 2026 for giving biscuits to dogs near hostels, as well as a research scholar who was allegedly removed from hostel accommodation for collecting leftover food for dogs.

One student, who said they received an email, alleged that the action followed an incident in which they collected leftover chapatis from the mess to feed dogs.

“I used to take only the chapatis that were being thrown away by the mess to feed the dogs. One of the management personnel followed me and took photographs. I received a termination email (from Hostel Coordination Unit) that night citing misuse of mess resources,” the student said.

“Dogs are territorial, so they don’t go to those zones. Sometimes students end up feeding them out of compassion, but people keep an eye on those students and send a termination email directly, with no warning or discussion,” the student alleged.

Institute denies removing students

Gopinath Muvvala, chair of the HCU, rejected allegations that action was taken against students for feeding dogs. “I can guarantee that no student has been removed. Not even one. Where is the proof?” he asked.

Mr. Muvvala said IIT-H followed Animal Welfare Board of India norms, established dog shelters and designated feeding points, and had conducted sterilisation and vaccination programmes since he joined the institute in 2019. He added that the institute worked with animal-friendly non-governmental organisations.

“We don’t intervene when dogs are being fed on the campus. We only act on student complaints, and that also over emails,” he said. Google locations of the feeding points were shared with students, and the institute asked whether more points were needed, he added.

He also disputed allegations that security personnel killed dogs. Referring to a recent complaint, Mr. Muvvala said CCTV footage showed security staff removing the body of a sick dog, not killing it. An autopsy was also conducted, he said. He alleged that some videos circulated on social media were trimmed or altered to create a misleading impression.

Students seek animal welfare committee

Students and animal welfare activists sought a formal Animal Welfare Committee, citing University Grants Commission guidelines issued in June 2025. Mr. Muvvala said the guidelines suggested, but did not mandate, such a committee. He said the officiating HCU chair served as the nodal officer for human-animal conflict and that student grievances should be routed through the elected Gymkhana body.

Students and animal welfare activists alleged that 76 dogs died on campus over two years, including in road accidents. They have also alleged that dogs suffered injuries and fractures. Mr. Muvvala said dogs could fight and sustain injuries naturally, particularly on a campus with around 200 dogs.

The dispute has also drawn attention to a WhatsApp group containing messages discussing ways to kill dogs. Several students reportedly termed the messages fabricated, while one participant admitted being involved in the conversations but described them as teenage jokes without any serious intention to act. Mr. Muvvala said the institute had issued a circular against such communications and was taking up the matter with the police.

Police say video evidence will be of help

The Sangareddy Rural police said they were investigating two cases involving dog deaths on the campus. An officer said there was no video evidence showing a dog being beaten. In one case, footage showed a dog limping before it was subsequently found dead, but the cause of the limping could not be established. The death was reported two days later, by which time the body had decomposed, the officer said. The police said video evidence showing a dog being beaten would help them take action.

The second case involved a bus driver who allegedly ran over a dog. The institute terminated the driver’s employment the following day, and a police case was registered, the officer said.