Mass Dog Killings Continue in Telangana: 200 More Strays Poisoned in Hanumakonda
In a disturbing continuation of animal cruelty incidents in Telangana, approximately 200 stray dogs were allegedly poisoned to death in Pathipaka village, located in Hanumakonda district. This gruesome event, which reportedly occurred about a month ago during the sarpanch elections, came to public attention on January 25 after local residents alerted animal rights activists to the burial site near the village.
Second Incident Under Same Police Jurisdiction
This marks the second such mass killing reported from villages under the Shayampet police station limits within a single month. Earlier, on January 9, authorities filed a First Information Report (FIR) following complaints about the similar poisoning of 300 dogs in Arepally village, situated in the same region.
Since both cases fall under our jurisdiction and are suspected to have been executed by the same individuals, we have decided to modify the earlier FIR to include details of this latest incident, stated Jakkula Parameshwar, Sub-Inspector at Shayampet police station. He added that the dog carcasses would be exhumed and sent for post-mortem examination on Tuesday.
Legal Actions and Suspected Motives
In the Arepally case, police charged the village sarpanch, secretary, and others under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which addresses the killing and poisoning of animals by multiple persons.
Animal rights activists suspect a similar pattern in the Pathipaka incident. We were informed about these killings on Sunday. We suspect that these dogs too were killed by administering lethal injections, said Goutham Adulapuram of Stray Animal Foundation India. After visiting the burial site, we registered a complaint with the police. Our interactions with locals suggest that this too was ordered by gram panchayat officials to fulfill election promises.
Widespread Pattern Across Telangana
This month alone, more than 1,000 dogs have been allegedly killed across various districts of Telangana, including Kamareddy, Jagtial, Hanumakonda, and Ranga Reddy. Complainants allege that several sarpanchs and ward members, while campaigning for the recently concluded gram panchayat elections, promised to address the stray dog and monkey menace, leading to these organized mass killings.
The incidents highlight a severe animal welfare crisis in the state, with authorities now intensifying investigations to curb such brutality and hold perpetrators accountable under relevant laws.
