In a fresh incident of animal cruelty once again in Telangana, 300 stray dogs have reportedly been killed in Jagtial district, taking the toll in the state to 900 this month, according to animal rights activists. This comes barely two weeks after 500 stray dogs were killed by injecting poison in the state.
“The dogs were injected with poison and their food was also poisoned,” a police officer told media, adding that the police had started an awareness campaign to prevent the mistreatment of stray animals.
The killings are suspected to have been carried out by some elected representatives, including Sarpanchs, allegedly to fulfill promises made to villagers ahead of gram panchayat elections held in December last year, aimed at addressing the stray dog menace.
The latest incident came to light after a complaint was lodged, alleging that 300 stray dogs were killed in Pegadapally village by administering poisonous injections on January 22. According to complaint filed with police, the village Sarpanch and Gram Panchayat secretary hired people to kill the strays.
Based on a complaint filed by Preethi Mudavath of the Stray Animal Foundation of India (SAFI), Telangana police have lodged an FIR against the village sarpanch and the gram panchayat secretary under Sections 325 read with 3(5) of the BNS, and Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR against the duo under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, officials said on Saturday.
Speaking to media, a Jagtial police officer said, “We have recovered a good number of dog carcasses. We have not ascertained who poisoned them.”
Around 70 to 80 dog carcasses were exhumed from the burial site. The burial appeared to have taken place three to four days ago. Police said that veterinarians are exhuming the bodies of the dogs and conducting post-mortem examinations. Post-mortem reports are awaited for further investigation.
Stray dog deaths in Telangana in January 2026
According to a complaint lodged by animal rights activists, 100 dogs were allegedly poisoned to death at Yacharam village on January 19, though 50 carcasses were found immediately. Earlier this month, police in Hanamkonda district had booked nine persons, including two women sarpanches and their husbands, in connection with the alleged killing of around 300 stray dogs in Shayampet and Arepally villages.
In another case, around 200 stray dogs were reportedly killed in Kamareddy district, and a case was registered against six people, including five village sarpanches, for their alleged involvement. Local sources indicate that the village sarpanch (head) and several other elected representatives played a key role in killing the stray dogs in effort to fulfil election promises. A case has been filed against several people, including seven village heads, in connection with this incident.
This killing spree comes after the Supreme Court warned the state governments of imposing hefty fines for failing to control the stray dog population.
According to local residents, the village panchayat elections were held in December last year. At that time, the candidates promised the villagers that they would take appropriate measures to reduce the menace of stray dogs and monkeys. After winning the elections, they fulfilled that promise by killing the dogs. They alleged that hundreds of dogs were killed with poisonous injections.