A horrifying discovery in the Hanumakonda district has led to police cases against nine people, including two village sarpanches, over the systematic culling of roughly 300 stray dogs. The mass killing, which reportedly involved the use of lethal injections, took place between January 6 and 8 across the villages of Shayampet and Arepally.
The scale of the incident only became clear on Sunday after authorities exhumed carcasses to conduct post-mortem examinations. According to a complaint filed by A Goutham of the Stray Animal Foundation of India, the killings weren't a random act but a coordinated effort involving hired labourers and local officials. Following his report, the Shayampet police booked the two sarpanches, their husbands, a deputy sarpanch, two village secretaries, and the two individuals allegedly paid to carry out the culling.
All nine suspects now face charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Goutham’s complaint didn't just ask for arrests; it also pressured the government to fix the underlying issue by funding proper animal birth control, sterilisation, and vaccination programmes rather than resorting to "lethal solutions."
However, the police investigation has uncovered a deep-seated tension within the community. While animal rights activists are outraged, some village elders have, reportedly, stepped up to defend the move. They claim the stray dog population had become a dangerous nuisance and that the culling was a direct response to public outcry—a sentiment so strong it actually became a key talking point during recent local elections.
Parkal Assistant Commissioner of Police, Satishbabu, confirmed that the investigation is now in full swing. As the legal process starts, the case has ignited a fierce debate over where the line is drawn between public safety and the humane treatment of street animals.
Also read: Stray dogs linked to Dwarka attack found to be ‘normal’: MCD
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