A software engineer in Bengaluru’s HSR Layout faced a harrowing ordeal late at night when a pack of stray dogs chased him, forcing him to jump a residential gate for safety, only to be accused of theft by residents. The incident, detailed in a viral Reddit post on r/LegalAdviceIndia, has highlighted the city’s stray dog issue and raised questions about residents’ actions under Indian law.

The techie, a North Indian living in Bengaluru for work, was walking home around 11:02 p.m. when the dogs pursued him. Cornered behind a parked car, he scaled a nearby building’s gate to escape. “I had two choices: jump the car or the gate. I chose safety,” he wrote. Within seconds, three residents—an elderly man (55-65), his wife, and a woman presumed to be their daughter—confronted him. Despite his apologies and explanation, they dismissed his story, saying, “Even if dogs were chasing you, why trespass? We don’t care.”

To prove his identity, he showed his PAN, Aadhaar, address, and Darwinbox profile, confirming his role as a software engineer. Yet, the residents accused him of theft, confiscated his phone, and refused to return it until the next morning, pending verification. “I repeatedly asked them to check CCTV or call the police, but they refused both. I stood there helpless for 30 minutes,” he recounted. Only after a neighbor reviewed the CCTV footage, confirming the dog chase, was his phone returned.

Also Read: Tripura Jawan Held for Poisoning Daughter

Citing Sections 81 and 97 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the techie noted that entering private property to avoid immediate danger is legally permissible. He also argued that seizing his phone without police involvement could constitute wrongful confinement of property under IPC Section 403 (now Section 316 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023). Legal experts on X supported his view, citing a 2018 Karnataka High Court ruling that upheld the right to seek safety from imminent threats.

The incident underscores Bengaluru’s escalating stray dog problem, with over 2.6 lakh strays reported citywide by BBMP in 2024. HSR Layout alone recorded 73 dog bite cases in 2025, per Residents Watch, despite sterilization efforts. A July 2025 incident in Kodigehalli, where a 68-year-old man was mauled to death, further fueled public concern. BBMP’s Ravi Kumar stated that 80% of HSR’s strays are sterilized, but Supreme Court rules prevent relocation, complicating solutions.

X posts reflected outrage, with users like @BengaluruVoice demanding better stray management and empathy from residents. The techie’s ordeal, while resolved, has sparked calls for BBMP to address the stray dog menace and for public awareness of legal rights in emergencies.

Also Read: Tragic Crash Claims Seven Lives in Pune’s Hilly Terrain!