Incidents of poisoning and killing of stray dogs have again surfaced in Telangana. Police said that around 100 dogs were allegedly poisoned to death in the state's Mancherial district.
Several incidents of mass killing of stray dogs have been reported from various districts of Telangana in January this year and December last year. Animal welfare activist A Gautam stated in a police complaint that around 100 stray dogs were killed in Kishtpur village on the intervening night of March 7-8.
The complainant, who works for the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Stray Animal Foundation of India, alleged that the Sarpanch and Gram Panchayat Secretary of Kishtpur village, with the help of two individuals, injected the stray dogs with poison and buried them near a river.
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against the Sarpanch and the Gram Panchayat at the Jannaram police station under the BNS and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The matter is being investigated.
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The number of dogs killed by poisoning in the state has reached 1,300. Cases have been registered against Sarpanchs, Gram Panchayat secretaries, and others based on complaints filed by animal welfare activists. It is suspected that the killings of dogs were carried out by some elected representatives, including Sarpanchs, to fulfil election promises. Before the Gram Panchayat elections held in December last year, villagers were promised that the stray dog problem would be resolved.