Stray dogs of south Mumbai lose their best friend, Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata's love for strays extends to Bombay House and beyond, with dedicated kennels and pet hospitals.

Bombay House is different from any other conglomerate’s headquarters. While every visitor is frisked at the entrance of the colonial-era building, one should not be surprised to see a street dog stroll in nonchalantly.

Also read: Why the Tatas are a dog’s best friend

For decades, specific instructions have been issued to the staff to allow a free entry and exit for the strays who may want to come in.

All of it is courtesy the love and concern for the canines of one man, Ratan Tata, who held office as the chairman of Tata Sons between 1991 and 2012, and came back later for a short stint.

Ratan Tata death reactions, tributes, last rites, LIVE updates

The former Tata Group chairman breathed his last at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on Wednesday. He was 86.

Legend has it that once Tata was moved to see a stray dog battling it out in the rain outside Bombay House, which led to the specific instruction on allowing full access to the premise for canines.