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.
Police confirmed at least 354 killings and have arrested nine individuals in connection with the incidents. Animal welfare activists have alleged that the dogs were either poisoned or euthanized, while authorities await forensic reports to confirm the exact methods used.
Residents have suggested that the killings were linked to political promises made during recent local election campaigns aimed at eliminating stray dogs and monkeys from their communities.
The situation comes at a time of increasing scrutiny over the treatment of stray animals in India, particularly as the Supreme Court is deliberating on related petitions concerning the management of stray populations across urban areas. Although large-scale killings like this are rare, they have sparked widespread public outcry.
Historically, stray animals, mainly dogs and monkeys, have been a contentious issue in India, blamed for various urban disturbances, including attacks on humans and damage to agriculture. The underlying causes include ineffective sterilization programs, abandonment of pets, and a lack of proper waste management.
Animal rights advocates have criticized the legal framework surrounding animal cruelty in India, arguing that current laws do not impose sufficiently harsh penalties for such actions.
Telangana State Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka condemned the killings, describing them as illegal and inhumane, while promising that those responsible would face severe consequences.
Additionally, the Supreme Court has been actively involved in recent discussions regarding how to manage stray dogs in urban areas, urging authorities to prioritize humane treatment and public safety. In a previous case, the court had directed an immediate culling policy which was later modified to emphasize immunization and sheltering over killing.
In the aftermath of the killings, authorities have reported that the situation appears to be part of a larger trend, with allegations of cruelty towards various stray animals in Telangana, prompting even greater calls for reform and more effective animal welfare policies.
As investigations continue, the killing of stray dogs is viewed as emblematic of the broader challenges facing animal welfare in India, where community sentiments are conflicted, and public safety concerns often clash with the rights of animals.
