From letters to the Supreme Court to a year-round resource for animals. Read the story

Animal Writes
Contact us

Veterinary officer alleges assault by group during leopard rescue op

Veterinary officer alleges assault by group during leopard rescue op

A government veterinary officer was assaulted by a group of people during a leopard rescue operation in Thimmasandra village of Tumakuru taluk, police said. Tumakuru Range Forest Officer Basavaraju informed Prayag H S, Assistant Director of Veterinary Medical Services at Bannerghatta Biological Park, about a leopard stuck in a coconut tree at a farm on October 22. Forest department officials, police personnel, and NGO members reached the spot where 50 to 60 villagers had gathered. Police stated that 10 to 15 people instigated others, obstructed the operation, ignored safety warnings, and demanded the immediate capture of the animal before the leopard descended and fled. The complainant alleged that individuals shoved him, hit him on the back, abused him, and blocked his departmental vehicle. Police registered a case against 15 unidentified people under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 for offenses including wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult, unlawful assembly, and obstructing a public servant, and stated that further investigation is underway.

Sources

The Hans India

Read the original (opens in a new tab)Summary written by Animal Writes. Read the original before relying on it.

Editorial policyReport a mistake

More in Cruelty and Prosecution

  • Activist urges govt to ban elephants at Dasara events

    News

    Activist urges govt to ban elephants at Dasara events

    An animal rights activist urged the government to ban elephants at Dasara events in Mysuru, Karnataka, citing animal welfare concerns. The activist stated that captive elephants suffer during such large public festivals due to loud noises, heavy crowds, and long processions. The government has not yet announced any official decision regarding the request, and authorities are expected to review the representation submitted by the activist before the next festival planning cycle begins. Animal welfare groups have frequently raised concerns over the physical and psychological toll on pachyderms used in cultural celebrations across the region. Officials from the forest department stated that they monitor the health and upkeep of participating elephants, ensuring veterinary care is provided during their stay. Public welfare bodies and citizens can write to the forest department to support humane treatment guidelines for captive elephants used in state events.

  • Mysuru Dasara draws crowds and boosts business, but traffic chaos, low folk artist pay and elephant welfare concerns remain

    News

    Mysuru Dasara draws crowds and boosts business, but traffic chaos, low folk artist pay and elephant welfare concerns remain

    Elephant welfare concerns emerged during the 11-day Mysuru Dasara celebrations in Mysuru, Karnataka, alongside traffic chaos, venue overcrowding, and issues regarding artist remuneration. Tourism stakeholders C A Narayanagowda, C A Jayakumar, and B S Prashanth urged the government to form a dedicated tourism and Dasara authority to improve planning and amenities. Narayanagowda stated, "Dasara ofcourse got a turnover of at least Rs 100 crore to the hospitality industry." Chief Secretary Shalini Rajaneesh intervened to provide additional toilet facilities and meals for tableaux artists after concerns were raised. A total of 1,650 folk artists, including 247 women and 180 performers from other states, participated, arriving on October 17, with rehearsals held at Chamundi Vihar Stadium on October 18 and 19 and practice sessions at the Palace premises on October 20. Artists and environmentalists called for better basic infrastructure, establishment of a Kalagrama, and improved pay, while authorities face ongoing scrutiny over animal welfare and event management.

  • Trunk call for change: Tradition shouldn’t mean cruelty to elephants

    News

    Trunk call for change: Tradition shouldn’t mean cruelty to elephants

    An elephant panicked and fled while carrying a heavy howdah at the Shivamogga Dasara in Karnataka on October 21, narrowly avoiding loss of human lives. Animal welfare advocates stated that captive elephants suffer trauma from loud noises and heavy crowds during religious festivals. Lawyer Alok Hisarwala Gupta, founder of the Centre for Research on Animal Rights, noted that a 2022 amendment to the 1972 Wildlife (Protection) Act permitted live elephant transfers by certificate holders under government rules, while wealthy temples and groups like the Kerala Elephant Owners Association continue to resist changes. Suparna Ganguly, co-founder and trustee of Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) and Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC), stated, "If the public could only understand that they need to protect what they love." Advocates point to mechanical elephants as a safer alternative for processions, following precedents such as the use of fiberglass hornbill casques in Arunachal. Readers can support alternatives to live animal use by urging event organizers to adopt mechanical replicas during local festivals.

From the Library

  • DRI seizes 86 live Tokay Geckos in Assam in a crackdown on wildlife trafficking; two arrested

    Official Release

    DRI seizes 86 live Tokay Geckos in Assam in a crackdown on wildlife trafficking; two arrested

    The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence confiscated 86 live Tokay geckos in Assam during a wildlife trafficking crackdown. Acting on specific intelligence regarding an illegal trade deal, officers intercepted two individuals at Bandar Chalia Gaon Ground in Mariani. The endangered animals were seized under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the two apprehended persons were subsequently handed over to the Mariani Range Forest office for further action.

  • Government of India outlines major steps to strengthen veterinary services, expand dairy cooperatives, and manage stray dogs

    Official Release

    Government of India outlines major steps to strengthen veterinary services, expand dairy cooperatives, and manage stray dogs

    The Government of India announced on 22 Jul 2026 a set of measures aimed at bolstering veterinary services, widening the reach of dairy cooperatives, and improving the management of stray dogs across the country. The plan includes upgrading veterinary infrastructure, expanding cooperative networks for milk producers, and introducing new programs for stray-dog control and welfare. These ongoing and planned efforts seek to strengthen animal healthcare, accelerate dairy development, and enhance humane stray-dog management nationwide.

  • Government Strengthens Dairy and Livestock Sector Through Infrastructure, Digital Reforms and Veterinary Services

    Official Release

    Government Strengthens Dairy and Livestock Sector Through Infrastructure, Digital Reforms and Veterinary Services

    The Indian government announced a programme to enhance the dairy and livestock sector. The initiative involves constructing additional infrastructure, introducing digital reforms, and expanding veterinary services. Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh informed the Lok Sabha about these measures, clarifying that there is currently no proposal to introduce a Minimum Support Price for milk. Officials reported that 113 Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund projects worth ₹4,700.13 crore have been approved in Maharashtra, with an interest subvention of ₹123.46 crore released.