A recent Supreme Court order asking authorities to remove stray dogs from public places and shift them to shelters after sterilisation and vaccination has created a divide. Some people believe the order is important for safety, while others say it is unfair to animals.
But on Ahmedabad’s major campuses, nothing is changing. Students and staff at places like Gujarat University, GLS, CEPT, Ahmedabad University, Nirma, PDEU, Karnavati University, St Xavier’s, and even IIM Ahmedabad have lived peacefully with campus dogs for many years. These dogs sleep near canteens, follow students around, and guard the gates late at night.
‘Living together is easy’
Dr Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director at GLS University, says coexistence with stray dogs has never been a problem. “These dogs have lived here for years and have never harmed anyone because they are cared for and fed properly,” she says. At GLS, dogs are treated like part of campus life—they walk around freely and greet students every day.
She adds, “We live with neighbours and relatives we don’t always agree with, but we still manage. Why should living with dogs be any different?”
‘Their families have been here for generations’
Surbhi Pillai, a professor at R J Tibrewal Commerce College, says many campus dogs have lived there for decades. “Their ancestors grew up here,” she says. She and her principal also run an NGO that helps street dogs.
She points to the LGA Trust near YMCA Club, where community dogs are cared for with proper medical facilities. Students in many institutes also feed, vaccinate, and look after dogs on their own.
‘Dogs are natural security guards’
Rucha Trivedi, an animal rescuer who feeds 127 dogs inside Gujarat University, says most dog bite cases happen because people hurt or scare the animals—like rash driving, pulling their ears, or throwing stones.
“Dogs don’t bite without a reason,” she says. “They react when they’re scared, injured, or protecting their puppies.”
Rucha also says dogs help keep campuses safe. Her team has recorded cases where dogs warned hostel wardens about intruders, chased away people harassing women, and even alerted residents during emergencies.
“A city without dogs is a city without an alarm system,” she says. “If they disappear, thefts and harassment cases will rise. Dogs are our first line of natural security.”