Authorities in the southern Indian state of Telangana have launched an investigation after hundreds of stray dogs were killed across at least six villages in the past month.
According to police, at least 354 killings have been confirmed, and nine individuals have been arrested in connection with these cases.
Animal welfare activists indicated that the dogs were reportedly poisoned or given lethal injections; however, police are awaiting forensic reports to confirm the methods employed.
Local villagers suggested that these killings were tied to promises made by candidates during recent local election campaigns to eliminate stray dogs and monkeys.
The spike in killings coincides with a larger national debate about stray animals, as India's Supreme Court is hearing petitions on how to deal with stray dogs in urban areas, including the capital, Delhi. Such mass killings are rare and have sparked significant public outrage.
Stray animals, particularly dogs, are often seen as a persistent issue in India, blamed for attacks on humans, crop damage, and accidents. Critics point to a mix of factors contributing to overpopulation, including inadequate sterilization, animal abandonment, and insufficient enforcement of existing animal welfare laws.
Telangana state minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka condemned the killings as illegal and inhumane, pledging that perpetrators would face serious consequences.
In August, the Supreme Court ordered authorities to relocate all stray dogs from Delhi's streets to animal shelters, but this was met with dissent due to concerns over overburdened facilities. Opponents argue that current strategies inadequately address the complex situation of stray animals and public safety.
Reports of the dog killings indicate that the actions predominantly spanned several days across three districts from late December to mid-January. A police sub-inspector reported that 244 dogs were killed and buried at four different locations in the Kamareddy district alone.
Amid the outrage, some local residents have defended the killings. They claim that only rabid or aggressive dogs were targeted, citing public safety concerns regarding dog bites and disease.
This troubling wave of violence against stray dogs has drawn attention not only to the legal repercussions of such actions but also to the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in animal welfare legislation within the country.
