At least 300 stray dogs were allegedly killed with poisonous 'lethal injections' in Telangana's Hanumakonda district. Police have filed charges against nine people, including the heads of Shyampet and Arepally panchayats, and launched an investigation into the incident. The dogs in the area were allegedly poisoned between January 6 and 8. According to sources, the dog carcasses were buried underground. As soon as the matter came to light, a team of police and veterinarians reached the scene on Sunday. They recovered multiple dog carcasses from underground and sent them for post-mortem examination.
Also Read | What went wrong with PSLV-C62? ISRO flags third-stage deviation after launch
A Gautam, a representative of a voluntary organization called 'Stray Animal Foundation of India' from Karimnagar, had filed a complaint at Shyampet police station regarding the incident. Police launched an investigation based on his complaint. As soon as the investigation began, police learned that hired people were used to give poisonous injections to the stray dogs with the support of Shyampet and Arepally panchayat authorities. Subsequently, police filed a case under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act against a total of nine people, including the panchayat heads of those two villages. The accused are currently absconding. A search operation has been launched to find them.
Police investigation has further revealed that the panchayat representatives took the extreme step under pressure from a section of villagers. During the gram panchayat elections, local residents had complained that they were facing problems due to the excessive increase in the number of dogs. The dogs were allegedly killed to solve the problem. Complainant Gautam claims that instead of killing the stray dogs, the government should have controlled their numbers through vaccination.
Also Read | Delhi shivers at 3.2°C as dense fog, cold wave tighten grip over North India; AQI remains ‘poor’
ACP Satishbabu of Parkal area has informed that veterinarians are collecting samples from the recovered carcasses. Once the forensic report and post-mortem report are available, it will be easier to identify the type of poisoning and the actual perpetrators. Investigating officers have assured strict action against the accused.
