A Bengaluru man's extravagant claim of spending nearly Rs 50 crore on a rare breed of “wolfdog” has drawn the attention of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), prompting a raid on his residence to investigate possible violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and potential links to unaccounted wealth.
The individual, S Satish, who is also the president of the Indian Dog Breeders Association, claimed to have purchased the dog, named Cadabomb Okami, in February. The dog is allegedly a rare cross between a wolf and a Caucasian Shepherd, and believed to be one of the most expensive dogs in the world.
Sources revealed that the ED team visited Satish’s home and questioned him regarding the high-value purchase. During the raid, officials combed through his financial records and bank transactions, but reportedly found no major payments corresponding to the period in which the dog was supposedly bought.
This has led to suspicions that hawala channels may have been used to route money for the transaction. The source also indicated doubts about the authenticity of Satish’s claims regarding the dog's breed, suggesting it may not even be of foreign origin. A detailed investigation is still underway, and his interrogation is ongoing.
According to international media reports, including the New York Post, Satish allegedly spent $5.7 million (approximately Rs 50 crore) on the animal. He was quoted saying that he has a deep interest in rare dogs and likes introducing unique breeds to India.
The dog, reportedly born in the United States, is currently eight months old and weighs over five kilograms. It requires a specialised diet of three kilograms of raw meat daily. The American Kennel Club describes the Caucasian Shepherd component of the breed as a guardian dog with strong protective instincts and intelligence, making it a breed not to be taken lightly.
Satish has also claimed that he earns a substantial income by showcasing his prized dogs at public events, charging between $2,800 for a 30-minute appearance and up to $11,700 for five hours. He noted that his dogs often draw larger crowds than celebrities at movie screenings, highlighting the public's fascination with his pets.
In addition to Cadabomb Okami, Satish owns a rare Chow Chow that he claims to have purchased last year for $3.25 million. He said all his dogs are housed in a spacious seven-acre farm, where each has a dedicated 20-foot by 20-foot kennel.
The facility employs six caretakers to ensure the animals are well looked after. Despite not needing air conditioning due to Bengaluru's moderate climate, Satish insists that the dogs enjoy a comfortable and well-maintained living environment.
As the ED continues its probe, questions remain about the legitimacy of the transactions, the dog's actual value and breed, and whether any foreign exchange laws were violated.
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