300 Stray Dogs Killed in Telangana: 9 Including Sarpanches Booked
Around 300 stray dogs culled in Telangana villages; 9 people including two sarpanches booked for cruelty.
A shocking incident in Hanumakonda district, Telangana, has led to the registration of cases against nine people, including two village sarpanches, for the systematic killing of approximately 300 stray dogs. The culling, reportedly carried out using lethal injections, occurred between January 6 and 8 in the villages of Shayampet and Arepally.
Authorities only discovered the scale of the killings after exhuming carcasses for post-mortem examinations on Sunday. According to a complaint by A Goutham of the Stray Animal Foundation of India, the killings were premeditated and involved hired labourers working alongside local officials. The complaint prompted police action against two sarpanches, their spouses, a deputy sarpanch, two village secretaries, and the two individuals allegedly paid to carry out the culling.
All nine accused have been booked under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Goutham’s complaint urged authorities not only to pursue arrests but also to implement humane solutions such as animal birth control, sterilisation, and vaccination programs instead of resorting to lethal methods.
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The case has exposed tensions within the community. While animal rights activists condemned the mass killing as barbaric, some village elders defended the action, citing safety concerns and public pressure over a growing stray dog population. The issue reportedly influenced discussions during recent local elections.
Parkal Assistant Commissioner of Police Satishbabu confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and emphasized that the legal process will determine accountability. The incident has ignited a broader debate on balancing public safety with humane treatment of stray animals.
Animal welfare groups are now demanding stricter government oversight and proactive measures to prevent such incidents in the future, highlighting the urgent need for ethical and sustainable solutions to the stray dog problem.
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