New Delhi: If street dogs in India are considered resilient, one is probably not aware of the resilience their minders possess.
In what social media users called “the best news of the day”, Kaddu (Hindi for pumpkin), a female dog missing from the Delhi airport for several months has been found in Dwarka.
This is no ordinary case. Dog lovers have even filed a case at the Patiala House Court on stray dogs missing from the airport premises.
The news of Kaddu’s recovery was shared on social media by user Tanya, who posted a video of Kaddu, with the caption, “Kaddu has been found. After months of relentless searching, she’s finally safe.”
She is reportedly one of the two dogs missing from the Delhi airport. The video of the dog instantly triggered emotional reactions from animal lovers who had followed the case for weeks. NDTV, which reported the matter, couldn’t confirm when the dog was found.
Another reunion clip was shared by animal welfare group ‘Save Delhi NCR Dogs’ on Instagram showing a woman activist breaking down in tears after spotting Kaddu.
“We have the best news ever to share: Kaddu, our beloved airport dog, has been found! After days of searching, tireless trekking, and holding onto hope, Kaddu is safe and sound,” the group wrote.
Social media users called it the “best news of the day,” praising volunteers who combed parts of Delhi to trace the dog. Activists confirmed Kaddu is now receiving care, rest, and medical attention.
Kaddu is a 14-year-old female known for her calm and friendly nature. She apparently lived at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3 for years. She went missing around March 26, triggering an alarm among local feeders and airport workers. She was also well known among frequent flyers, many of whom would stop for a while to pet or feed her.
Her disappearance, along with another community dog named Brownie, became the centre of a larger controversy over the handling of stray dogs at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
Apprehensions of Kaddu and Brownie’s forcible eviction arose after viral videos in early April showed a brown dog, Dholu, being tied with ropes and dragged across Terminal 1. Some alleged that Kaddu was also “forcibly relocated” by airport authorities. The incidents led to public outrage, with users demanding action with hashtags like #BringKadduBack and #JusticeForDholu.
Dog feeders Rashim Sharma and Rekha Arora filed complaints at the Patiala House Court. On April 29, additional chief judicial magistrate Pranav Joshi called the police investigation “inadequate” and lacking “serious efforts”.
The Delhi Police told the court they are taking a legal opinion on registering an FIR. The matter is listed for hearing on May 26.
Delhi International Airport Ltd has denied relocating dogs from the premises. In an April 7 statement, it said it follows a “comprehensive and well-established dog management programme” in line with Animal Welfare Board of India guidelines, including feeding, vaccination, sterilisation and designated zones away from passenger areas.
