Mass dog killings rattles Telangana: 200 more canines found dead in Hanamkonda; toll rises to 1,100

NEW DELHI: In yet another case of alleged mass killings of stray dogs in Telangana, about 200 canines were reportedly killed in Hanamkonda district. This takes the total number of stray dogs found dead in the state since December 2025 to around 1,100, according to animal rights activists.Animal welfare activist A Goutham, associated with the Stray Animal Foundation of India, lodged a complaint with police on Monday, claiming that the 200 stray dogs were brutally killed about a month ago in Pathipaka village of Shayampet mandal by administering poisonous injections. He alleged the act was carried out on the orders of the Gram Panchayat Secretary, news agency PTI reported. Goutham, who works as Cruelty Prevention Manager, said that he visited the village with other activists and spoke to locals, who reportedly confirmed the Panchayat Secretary's involvement. “The carcasses of the dogs were then buried in a graveyard,” he stated, seeking the registration of an FIR.A police official from Shayampet Police Station said the latest complaint has been added to an existing FIR connected to the alleged killing of around 300 stray dogs in Shayampet and Arepally villages. Earlier, nine people, including two women sarpanches and their husbands, were booked in relation to the killings. “Further investigation is ongoing,” the officer added.Several incidents of stray dog killings have been reported across Telangana in January alone. In Pegadapally village of Jagtial district, around 300 dogs were allegedly killed by poisonous injections on January 22. Animal rights activists blamed the village sarpanch and Gram Panchayat Secretary, prompting police to register an FIR under the relevant sections of the BNS and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act.Similarly, in Yacharam village, about 100 stray dogs were allegedly killed on January 19, leading to FIRs against the sarpanch, secretary and ward member of the gram panchayat. Another 200 dogs were reportedly killed in Kamareddy district, with six people, including five village sarpanches, booked for their alleged involvement.Activists have alleged that some elected representatives ordered these killings to fulfil promises made to villagers ahead of the December 2025 gram panchayat elections, aiming to address the stray dog menace.According to background reports, in recent weeks, mass killings of stray dogs have also been reported from Ranga Reddy and other districts, with carcasses often buried in pits. Activists have documented these incidents and continue to demand strict action against those responsible.