Mass Dog Poisoning Rocks Telangana Villages
Police investigations reveal a disturbing pattern of animal cruelty across rural Telangana. Over the past ten days, authorities have documented the alleged poisoning deaths of at least five hundred stray dogs. The incidents occurred in three separate districts: Kamareddy, Hanumakonda, and Jagtial.
Sarpanches Accused of Ordering Killings
According to police statements, newly elected village council heads, known as sarpanches, stand accused of orchestrating the mass killings. They allegedly hired professional "dog killers" to administer lethal injections to the animals. This action appears connected to promises made during last December's gram panchayat elections.
Many sarpanches had assured voters they would address the stray dog and monkey problems in their villages. Police sources indicate these campaign pledges directly led to the issuance of killing orders after the elections concluded.
Police Cases Filed Across Districts
Animal rights activists filed formal complaints, prompting police action. Authorities have now registered cases against seventeen individuals. At least seven of those accused hold the position of sarpanch.
Officers charged them under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for killing or maiming animals. They also applied Section 11(1)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. This section specifically prohibits the poisoning or cruel treatment of animals.
Detailed District Breakdown
The scale of the operation becomes clear when examining each district separately.
In Kamareddy district, police from Machareddy village reported more than two hundred dog deaths in recent days. Their First Information Report (FIR) names six people. The list includes five sarpanches from Bhavanipet, Palwancha, Faridpet, Wadi, and Bandarameshwarapally villages.
It also names Kishore Pandey, identified as a professional dog killer allegedly hired from neighboring Andhra Pradesh. Adulapuram Goutham, an animal cruelty prevention manager, filed the initial complaint. He stated he found dog carcasses dumped near Peddacheruvu in Bhavanipet village.
"We suspect the sarpanches of Bhavanipet, Palwancha and Faridpet were involved in the killing of 244 dogs," a senior Machareddy police officer confirmed. Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on buried carcasses, with samples sent for forensic analysis.
In Hanumakonda district, police booked nine people for allegedly killing around three hundred dogs between January 6 and January 8. The killings occurred in Shayampet and Arepally villages, again using injections.
A police officer from Shyampet stated, "So far, we have found 110 dog carcasses. Samples have been sent for forensic analysis to ascertain the type of poison used."
In Jagtial district, activists reported about thirty dog killings last month. Dharmapuri police noted they have not yet recovered carcasses but have booked two people. The charge is intentionally causing death by injecting poisonous substances.
Method and Secrecy of the Killings
The FIR details that the entire act was recorded on video. The footage reportedly shows the accused using two vehicles during the offense.
Adulapuram Goutham provided further insight into the methodology. He explained that veterinarians typically refuse to participate in mass killings. This forces sarpanches to engage professionals from Andhra Pradesh.
These individuals use lethal injections that kill animals instantly. The specific drugs employed remain highly secretive, according to Goutham. He has called for stern action against all those responsible for the coordinated cruelty.
A detailed police investigation is currently underway across all three affected districts.
