Telangana| 18 January 2026

Telangana police are investigating the mass killing of more than 500 stray dogs across Kamareddy, Hanamakonda and Jagtial districts over the past ten days. Many dogs were allegedly killed through lethal injections, while others are suspected to have died after eating poisoned food. The incidents, spread across multiple villages, have shocked the public and triggered strong reactions from animal welfare groups across the country.

Police believe the killings were carried out by professional dog killers allegedly hired by some newly elected sarpanches. Investigators say these actions were linked to promises made to voters before the gram panchayat elections held in December last year, where candidates reportedly assured villagers that stray dogs and monkeys would be removed. So far, cases have been registered against 17 people, including at least seven sarpanches, following complaints by animal rights activists.

In Kamareddy district alone, over around 200 dogs were reportedly killed within a week. An FIR was filed on January 12 after animal welfare activist Adulapuram Goutham found dog carcasses dumped near Peddacheruvu in Bhavanipet village, with similar cases later confirmed in Palwancha and Faridpet. Police have named eight accused, including seven sarpanches and one alleged dog killer hired from Andhra Pradesh. Post-mortems have been conducted, and samples have been sent for forensic examination. In Hanamakonda,over around approximately 300 dogs were allegedly killed between January 6 and 8, while approximately 30 dogs were reported dead in Jagtial last month.

The incident has sparked nationwide outrage. In Mumbai, animal lovers and activists will hold a candlelight march on Sunday evening at Lokhandwala Circle in Andheri to mourn the deaths of the dogs. Organised by the Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Welfare Foundation, the silent march will bring together more than 500 participants, including veterinarians, local residents, activists and Bollywood personalities known for supporting animal welfare. The event aims to honour the lives lost and demand strict action against those responsible.

Animal rights groups have called the killings illegal and a clear violation of Supreme Court guidelines, under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2001 (amended 2023). which mandate sterilisation, vaccination and release of stray dogs, or their care in proper animal shelters—not killing. Roshan Pathak, animal rights advisor at PAL Foundation, described the incident as mass murder and urged authorities to strictly enforce Animal Birth Control rules. As investigations continue, activists say compassion must go beyond political promises, and accountability is essential to ensure such cruelty is never 

Over 500 Stray Dogs Allegedly Killed in Telangana; Mumbai Animal Lovers Plan Candlelight March

More than 500 stray dogs have been found dead across villages in Telangana’s Kamareddy, Hanamakonda and Jagtial districts over the last ten days. Many of the animals were allegedly killed through lethal injections, while others are believed to have died after eating poisoned food. The large scale of the killings has shocked residents and triggered strong reactions from animal welfare groups.

Police investigations suggest that some newly elected sarpanches may have ordered the killings to fulfil election promises made during the gram panchayat polls held in December. Officials say professional dog killers were allegedly hired to remove stray dogs from villages. So far, cases have been registered against 17 people, including at least seven sarpanches, based on complaints filed by animal rights activists.

In Kamareddy alone, over around 200 dogs were reportedly killed within a week, with carcasses found dumped and buried in several villages. Similar incidents were reported in Hanamakonda, where around approximately 300 dogs were allegedly killed in early January, and in Jagtial, where dozens of dogs died last month. Police have conducted post-mortems and sent samples for forensic testing as the investigation continues.

The issue has sparked protests beyond Telangana. In Mumbai, animal lovers will hold a candlelight march at Andheri’s Lokhandwala Circle to mourn the dogs and demand justice. Activists say the killings violate Supreme Court guidelines,under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2001 (amended 2023) which allow only sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs, not killing. They insist compassion must go beyond election promises and are demanding strict action to prevent such cruelty from happening again.