Committee recommends suspension of vet accused of animal cruelty

A Karnataka Veterinary Council (KVC) committee recommended a six‑month suspension of two veterinarians for alleged cruelty to stray dogs in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The committee, meeting on 17 Oct 2026, voted to suspend Dr Asif Pasha of Primecare Vet Hospital, Bellandur, and Dr Manjunath, an MVSc student at Hebbal Veterinary College, with effect from 11 Nov 2026, the suspension to run for six months or until the High Court decides, whichever is earlier. The recommendation follows an FIR filed after a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) member complained that Dr Manjunath paid former GBA dog‑catchers Rs 500 per dog, broke the dogs’ bones, performed surgeries and experiments without anaesthesia, and sometimes transported them in cardboard boxes to the college. Activists also alleged the dogs were used for research. Prof Dr R Nagaraja, Dean of Hebbal Veterinary College, said the college had already imposed a two‑week suspension in October, stating, “As per our procedures, Dr Manjunath was suspended for two weeks in October.” The council also advised the case be reviewed in light of any High Court rulings or new evidence.