Another 100 Stray Dogs Poisoned After 500 Killed in Election Pledge in Telangana
Over 100 dogs poisoned in Yacharam village; follows mass culling linked to Gram Panchayat poll promises.
In yet another disturbing case of animal cruelty in Telangana, more than 100 stray dogs were allegedly poisoned to death in Yacharam village, Ranga Reddy district, on January 19, 2026. Animal welfare activist Mudavat Preeti (22) filed a complaint accusing the village sarpanch, a ward member, the village secretary, and others of conspiring to carry out the poisoning. The Rachakonda police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. No arrests have been made so far, but an investigation is underway.
According to the complaint, the ward member initially claimed the dogs had been “shifted,” but later admitted in a phone call that they were given anaesthesia injections. Locals confirmed the dogs died after receiving the injections, pointing to deliberate poisoning. This latest incident comes just weeks after a larger-scale culling shocked the state, where at least 500 stray dogs were killed in the first two weeks of January across areas like Shyampet, Arepally, and Palvancha. Postmortem reports confirmed death due to an “unknown toxin.”
The mass killings were reportedly carried out to fulfill election promises made during the recent Gram Panchayat polls. Several candidates had vowed to create “dog-free villages” to address the stray dog menace, a common local concern. After winning, sarpanches and village officials allegedly orchestrated systematic poisoning. Cases were filed against 15 individuals, including seven sarpanches who authorised the cullings, village secretaries who arranged supplies, and private contractors hired for the task.
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These repeated incidents have sparked outrage among animal rights groups, who are demanding stricter enforcement of anti-cruelty laws, accountability for Gram Panchayat officials, and a state-wide monitoring mechanism to prevent such mass killings. The cases highlight serious concerns over misuse of power at the local level and the lack of humane alternatives to manage stray dog populations, such as sterilisation and vaccination drives.
Authorities face mounting pressure to act swiftly and ensure justice, as these acts not only violate animal welfare laws but also raise questions about governance and ethical responsibilities in rural India.
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