Animal welfare activists told the BBC that the dogs were reportedly poisoned or given lethal injections, though police say they are waiting for forensic tests to determine the exact method. Villagers have linked the killings to election promises made by candidates during recent local campaigns to remove stray dogs and monkeys.
While India is witnessing a larger national conversation about stray animals including petitions before the Supreme Court on how to manage city streets in Delhi killings on such a large and coordinated scale are rare and have sparked widespread outrage.
Stray animals, including dogs, cattle, and monkeys, are considered a persistent problem in many parts of India. They are often blamed for attacks on people, crop damage, and traffic accidents.
Experts cite multiple contributing factors, including gaps in sterilisation and vaccination programs, the accumulation of garbage, abandonment of pets, shrinking natural habitats, and inconsistent enforcement of laws.
Despite these challenges, stray dogs are also deeply woven into local life, forming strong bonds with communities. Animal rights activists have long warned that India’s penalties for cruelty are too weak to prevent inhumane practices.
Telangana’s state minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka condemned the killings as ‘illegal’ and ‘inhumane’, warning that those responsible will face strict action. She emphasized that killing stray dogs under the guise of population control cannot be justified under any circumstances.
The incidents took place across three districts between late December and mid-January. In Kamareddy district, 244 dogs were killed and buried in four locations, according to police sub-inspector S Anil, who added that village council heads in three villages were involved.
In Shayampet and Arepally near Warangal city, 110 dogs were killed, with nine arrests confirmed. In Jagtial city, police are investigating reports of around 40 dog deaths, though no bodies have been recovered. Animal welfare groups suspect the true number of deaths may be higher than police estimates.
Some residents defended the killings, claiming they targeted rabid or aggressive dogs that had caused road accidents and injuries. Raju, the son of the Arepally village head, said the dogs were diseased and dangerous, while another resident, Vijay, said most villagers supported the measure out of fear of bites and disease.
Data shows Telangana recorded nearly 122,000 dog bite cases in 2024, though no deaths from rabies were reported. The killings coincided with other troubling incidents involving stray animals. In one case, several monkeys were reportedly tranquilized and dumped along a highway in Kamareddy district, according to The Times of India.
The state government has issued clear instructions to all village councils to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, as authorities and animal welfare groups call for a balanced approach to stray animal management—one that safeguards both public safety and animal rights.
