Nearly 100 Stray Dogs Killed in Telangana Village, Police File Case Against Panchayat Officials
Nearly 100 stray dogs were allegedly poisoned and killed in Yacharam village near Hyderabad, prompting police to file a case against the local sarpanch and two other panchayat officials, authorities said on Wednesday.
Police described the incident as part of a disturbing trend of mass killings of stray dogs across Telangana, with around 500 deaths reported in multiple districts since January 6, according to news agency PTI.
The complaint was filed by an animal welfare activist associated with the Stray Animal Foundation of India at the Yacharam police station. The activist alleged that the dogs were injected with a poisonous substance on January 19. Following the complaint, police registered cases against the Yacharam gram panchayat sarpanch, secretary, and a ward member under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
While the complainant claimed nearly 100 dogs were killed, preliminary verification by authorities suggested that about 50 animals may have died. Officials said the investigation is still in its early stages, and the exact number of deaths will be confirmed after further inquiry. Police are also trying to locate the carcasses to collect evidence and determine the sequence of events.
The Yacharam case comes shortly after similar incidents elsewhere in Telangana. In Hanamkonda district, police recently registered cases against nine people, including two women sarpanches and their husbands, for allegedly killing nearly 300 stray dogs in Shayampet and Arepally villages. In Kamareddy district, around 200 stray dogs were reportedly killed, leading to cases against six individuals, including five village sarpanches.
Authorities suspect that some elected village representatives may have ordered or carried out the killings to address complaints from residents about stray dogs, possibly as a way to fulfil promises made ahead of the gram panchayat elections in December. Investigations are ongoing, and officials have said those found responsible will face strict legal action.