Telangana: Police have booked cases against nine people, including the sarpanches of Shayampet and Arepally villages, in Telangana’s Hanumakonda district
for allegedly killing around 300 stray dogs by administering lethal injections. The disturbing incident came to light after police and veterinary officials visited the villages and began procedures to examine the buried carcasses. The case has triggered outrage among animal welfare groups, while village sources claim the action was taken amid public pressure due to the growing stray dog population.
Mass Killing Allegedly Carried Out Between January 6 and 8
According to police, the alleged killings took place within the gram panchayat limits of Shayampet and Arepally between January 6 and 8, when two hired individuals allegedly injected the dogs with lethal substances.The matter surfaced on Sunday when police teams, along with veterinary doctors, visited the area to conduct postmortems on the buried carcasses.
Parkal Assistant Commissioner of Police Satishbabu confirmed the case had been registered based on a formal complaint.
Hanumakonda, Telangana: An FIR has been registered by the Shyampet Police Station against the nine people, including the Shyampet sarpanch, for allegedly killing 300 stray dogs in Shayampet and Arepally villages.
According to the FIR, the sarpanch staff allegedly hired two…— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026
NGO Complaint Leads to FIR
A person identified as A Goutham, representing the Stray Animal Foundation of India, an NGO based in Karimnagar district, lodged the complaint with Shayampet police.In his complaint, Goutham alleged that hundreds of stray dogs were killed inside Shayampet and Arepally village limits after two individuals were hired to inject the animals.
Seeking strict action, the complainant also urged authorities to adopt humane population control measures.
“The government should implement measures such as animal birth control, sterilisation, and vaccination to manage the stray dog population,” the complaint stated.
Sarpanches, Officials and Labourers Among the Accused
As per a TOI report, based on the complaint, police booked cases against:- the two sarpanches and their husbands
- a deputy sarpanch
- two village secretaries
- two daily wage labourers
The case has been filed under provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Village Sources Claim Action Was ‘Public Demand’
However, sources from the villages have questioned the basis of the complaint and claimed the incident was linked to mounting local pressure.
They said village elders argued that the move was taken in response to public demand during the sarpanch elections, with residents complaining that the stray dog population had become a nuisance.
Police said investigation is ongoing and more details will emerge after forensic and veterinary examination findings are received.
(with inputs from ANI)
