Dog on Runway Triggers Safety Scare at Pune Airport; PMC Catches Five Dogs Amid Rising Concerns

Viman Nagar, 30th June 2025: A possible mishap was narrowly averted at Pune Airport after a pilot spotted a stray dog on the runway while attempting to land on runway Tab. 28. Quick thinking and prompt action by the pilot helped avoid an accident. The incident has once again brought to light the ongoing issue of stray dogs inside the airport premises.

Following the incident, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) dog squad was called in and managed to capture five stray dogs from the airport’s terminal and runway areas on Monday. However, PMC officials estimate that over 100 stray dogs are still roaming within the airport and Air Force campus, raising serious safety and operational concerns.

The Pune Airport, which shares space with the Indian Air Force, spans hundreds of acres. While some sections are secured by walls, others have gaps or are protected only by wire fencing, making it easy for stray animals to enter the airfield.

According to Shailendra Chavan, a member of PMC’s dog squad, “After receiving a letter from the airport authorities, we captured five dogs. But as per animal welfare laws, once sterilized, dogs cannot be relocated. The real challenge is the growing conflict between the airport’s safety needs and the objections raised by animal lovers.”

Currently, 14 sterilized dogs remain in the terminal area, many of whom are regularly fed by local animal welfare volunteers. While the PMC squad visits the premises four to five times a month to catch and sterilize new dogs, their efforts are complicated by legal restrictions and resistance from dog lovers.

Rita Kanda, an animal welfare activist, emphasized the ethical aspect of the issue: “Legally, dogs cannot be shifted from their territory once sterilized. The airport administration should ensure that animals are not harmed during their operations. Let’s not forget—humans have encroached on the natural habitats of these animals, not the other way around.”

The situation has created a difficult balancing act. On one hand, the airport authority is under pressure to maintain operational safety, while on the other, animal rights activists insist on humane treatment and protection of stray animals as per existing laws. With both sides standing firm, the PMC dog squad finds itself caught in the middle.