Over 500 stray dogs were killed in Telangana within a week, sparking widespread outrage and police action.
The killings allegedly took place in Kamareddy and Hanamkonda districts, where elected representatives reportedly carried out the culling to fulfil promises made during Gram Panchayat elections.
In the latest incident, police said around 200 dogs were killed in Kamareddy district, taking the toll to nearly 500. A case has been registered against six persons, including five village sarpanches, for their alleged involvement. Earlier, nine people, including two women sarpanches and their husbands, were booked in Hanamkonda district for the killing of around 300 dogs in Shayampet and Arepally villages.
Sources revealed that ahead of the December Gram Panchayat polls, some candidates promised villagers they would tackle the stray dog and monkey menace. After winning, they allegedly ordered the killings. Carcasses were buried on the village outskirts, and veterinary teams later exhumed the bodies for post-mortem examinations. Viscera samples were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory to determine the poison used.
Animal welfare activist Adulapuram Goutham lodged a complaint at Machareddy police station, stating that nearly 200 dogs were killed in five villages of Palwancha mandal. He alleged that sarpanches hired a person to administer poisonous injections. Goutham said he found carcasses dumped in Bhavanipet and learned of similar acts in Faridpet, Wadi, and Bandarameshwarapally villages.
Police registered cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Notices have been issued to the accused.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the lack of implementation of stray animal norms in the past five years. The court said it may direct states to pay heavy compensation for dog-bite incidents and hold dog feeders accountable.
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