Panjagutta cops stop siren-blazing ambulance, find pet dog inside instead of patient

Hyderabad: In an alarming incident highlighting the misuse of emergency vehicles, an ambulance was found transporting a pet dog with its sirens blaring, causing confusion among motorists and traffic police alike.

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon near the Panjagutta Traffic Police Station during a special traffic drive aimed at curbing ambulance misuse.

The speeding ambulance, with its sirens on, was stopped by traffic police for inspection. To their surprise, instead of a critically ill patient, they found a pet dog in a cage inside the vehicle.

The driver, identified as Lakshminarayana, claimed he was transporting the dog from Himayathnagar to Ivy Hospital in Madinaguda for a neutering operation.

When questioned about the use of sirens for a non-emergency purpose, Lakshminarayana was left speechless. The traffic police immediately seized the ambulance and registered a case against the driver.

Investigations revealed that the ambulance belonged to Abdul Kaleem, who had leased it to the Red Ambulance firm.

Officials emphasised that ambulances are meant solely for transporting patients in life-threatening situations and that using sirens for non-emergency purposes is a violation of the law.

Traffic cops warn ambulance drivers against misuse of emergency vehicles

West Zone Traffic ACP Hariprasad, who led the special drive, expressed concern over the growing misuse of ambulances for transporting pets, medical check-ups, and even empty trips.

“Ambulances are meant to save lives, not to cause inconvenience to the public or disrupt traffic. Using sirens for non-emergency purposes is illegal and unethical,” he stated.

The traffic police have issued a stern warning to ambulance operators, urging them to refrain from such practices. They also advised the public to report any instances of ambulance misuse to the police.

This crackdown is part of a broader effort to ensure that emergency services remain dedicated to their intended purpose—saving lives. The police have vowed to continue special drives to identify and penalize those who exploit ambulances for personal convenience.