On August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a landmark order: all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR must be moved to shelters, with no return to the streets. The
move has sparked a national debate about public safety and the role dogs play in our lives. But here’s the thing: while the debate rages, history reminds us that India has long depended on dogs, from police and Army K9s to family pets, to save lives in moments of crisis. And not just as first responders, but also the ways animals save us by just being there. The selfless love dogs show, it can’t be bought or replicated, or done away. The rise of dog bites cases in India can not be denied, and should not be either. But there are ways to manage it that require government intervention, and not blanket transfer of dogs into shelters that are very evidently not in a position to support them. On that note, let’s meet a few of India’s most trusted canines, who rose to the occasion in more ways than one.
Zanjeer: The Labrador Who Sniffed Out Terror
In the aftermath of the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, one dog changed the course of the investigation and possibly saved countless lives. Zanjeer, a golden Labrador with the Mumbai Police, detected over 3,300 kg of RDX, 600 detonators, and dozens of grenades hidden across the city. When he passed away in 2000, Zanjeer was given a state funeral, a rare but well-deserved honour for an animal that proved it was certainly man’s best friend.
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Brownie: The Stray Who Saved Her Rescuer
For Dr. Ramesh Sancheti, a Pune-based physician, a chance act of kindness 16 years ago came full circle in the most life-saving way. As a young puppy, Brownie was a stray in his housing society, cared for by Dr. Sancheti and his neighbour Amit Shah. On January 23, 2019, Brownie sensed something was wrong. Struggling to stand, she repeatedly peered through the window until Shah noticed her strange behaviour. Looking inside, he saw Dr. Sancheti collapsed from a partial paralytic attack and cardiac arrest. Brownie’s urgent warning gave Shah the crucial minutes needed to break in, call neighbours, and rush the doctor to the hospital. Without her, those precious minutes, and Dr. Sancheti’s life might have been lost.
Axel: The Soldier Who Took A Bullet
In 2022, a 2-year-old German Shepherd named Axel from the Army’s 26 Dog Unit joined a counter-terror operation in Baramulla, J&K. After locating a holed-up terrorist, Axel was hit by enemy fire. He didn’t survive but his actions helped secure the area and protect fellow soldiers.
Axel made the ultimate sacrifice, and lives on in our memories.
Rocky: The Puppy Who Saved A Village
In early 2025, heavy rain in Himachal’s Mandi district triggered landslides and flash floods. In Siyathi village, a five-month-old pet dog named Rocky began barking furiously in the middle of the night, waking up his family. Rocky’s owner Lalit then alerted all the other families nearby, and within minutes, the entire village of over 63 people was evacuated, just before a massive landslide hit. Rocky’s alertness turned what could have been a tragedy into a miracle.
Romeo & Julie: The Duo That Beat The Machines
During a rescue operation at the Nurdagi site after an earthquake hit Turkey, India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) made headlines for pulling a six-year-old girl, Beren, alive from tonnes of rubble. But the true credit goes to two four-legged heroes: Romeo and Julie. When advanced equipment failed to detect signs of life, this Labrador duo succeeded. Julie was sent in first, and the moment she barked, her handler knew she had found someone. For confirmation, Romeo went in next, and his bark sealed the discovery. Thanks to their quick work, rescuers reached Beren in time, and saved her life.The Supreme Court’s stray-dog ruling is being seen by many as a turning point in how India manages street dogs. Supporters say it will prevent dog attacks and improve safety; critics fear it will lead to overcrowded shelters and loss of community dogs. Whichever side you’re on, one fact is undeniable: dogs have been there for us, over and over again, in the most dangerous situations. They’ve sniffed out bombs, taken bullets and woken sleeping villages before disaster struck. If we owe them anything, it’s not just food and shelter but a life of love and recognition.
