In Telangana's Kamareddy district, another 200 stray dogs have been allegedly killed with lethal injections. In total, 500 dogs have allegedly been killed in the state over the past week. Telangana police have learned in their preliminary investigation that this brutal path was chosen to fulfill promises made to voters during the December panchayat elections. Multiple animal welfare organizations, including the 'Stray Animal Foundation of India', have protested the incident. Police have already filed cases against six people, including the panchayat head, suspected of involvement in the Kamareddy district incident.
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Police probe links mass killings to panchayat election promises
Police investigation has revealed that before the village panchayat elections in December last year, multiple candidates had promised to reduce the menace of dogs and monkeys. To keep that promise, instead of driving dogs away from villages, a plan was allegedly hatched to kill them. The dead dogs were allegedly buried outside the villages. A team of veterinarians has already recovered the bodies and sent them for post-mortem. Police are seeking help from forensic labs to determine what type of injection was used to kill the stray dogs. Investigators have already sent notices to the accused.
Adilapuram Gautam, a representative of a voluntary organization called 'Stray Animal Foundation of India' in Karimnagar, has alleged that around 200 stray dogs were killed with lethal injections in about five villages in the Palwancha area of Kamareddy district over the past two to three days. Earlier, between January 6 and 8, allegations had surfaced of killing around 300 stray dogs with lethal injections in the Shyamapet and Arepalli panchayat areas of Hanumkonda district.
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In Hanumkonda, allegations arose against the female sarpanch or panchayat head and her associates for killing stray dogs. Animal welfare organizations allege that professional people were hired to do this work with poisonous injections. Volunteers from the organizations found lifeless bodies of dogs lying in multiple villages. Strict action is already being taken against the accused under the Indian Penal Code and anti-animal cruelty laws.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court expressed concern about stray dogs on Tuesday. The court indicated that it is considering directing states to pay hefty compensation in dog bite incidents. Along with this, the apex court may also take strict action against those who regularly feed stray dogs on the streets.
