The Udupi Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), district police and other agencies conducted a fifth raid on the ‘animal rescue centre’ operated by Sudhindra Aithal at Chitrapadi in Saligrama on October 9, 2025, to remove cages used for hoarding animals. During the operations, the officials rescued 16 more animals.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India), that supported the operation by the district administration, stated that Kota Police registered a complaint against Mr. Aithal under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act after he failed to remove the cages.
Following repeated non-compliance of multiple closure orders from Saligrama Town Panchayat, Animal Husbandry Department and the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, the fifth raid was undertaken. Over 300 animals were rescued from Mr. Aithal’s hoarding facility over five raids.
As many as 16 more animals, including 13 puppies, were rescued during the fifth raid conducted by Udupi Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Sudhindra Aithal’s illegal animal rescue centre on Thursday, October 9, at Saligrama in Udupi district. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The 16 animals rescued during the current raid included 13 puppies, two kittens, and a semi-adult dog. All seized cages were moved to Kota Police Station premises. The rescues were found severely dehydrated and weak, with viral infections, eye problems, injuries, parasitic infestations and covered in their own filth.
Across all raids, the species rescued included dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, non-native endangered species, hamsters, love birds and wildlife such as cobras, civet cats, black kites, Indian parakeets, and bonnet macaques, PETA said.
The illegal animal rescue centre of Sudhindra Aithal lacked hygiene, with the entire area stinking as found during the fifth raid conducted on the facility by Udupi Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on October 9, at Saligrama in Udupi district. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
PETA said facilities that engage in the boarding, breeding or selling of ‘pet’ animals are required to be registered with the State animal welfare board as mandated under Rule 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
Meanwhile, Udupi district administration has urged general public not to hand over any animals to Mr. Aithal’s illegal animal centre. A statement here said the animals rescued from the centre so far have been sent to authorised animal rehabilitation centres.
Published - October 10, 2025 06:09 pm IST
