According to activists, the killings in Pathipaka took place about a month ago, when stray dogs were allegedly administered poisonous injections. The carcasses were later buried in the village cemetery. The operation, activists claim, was carried out under the supervision of the gram panchayat secretary. Residents and animal rights groups say the sarpanch had publicly promised during the December gram panchayat elections to “get rid of” stray dogs, a pledge that is now at the centre of the controversy.
Police officials said they are verifying the allegations and gathering evidence, including burial sites and witness statements. “If the claims are substantiated, strict action will be taken under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,” a senior police officer said.
The Pathipaka incident follows a series of similar cases reported across Telangana in January. On January 22, around 300 stray dogs were allegedly killed in Pegadapalli village of Jagtial district. A case was registered against the sarpanch and panchayat secretary after animal activists lodged a formal complaint. Three days earlier, on January 19, police booked local panchayat representatives in Yacharam village for the alleged killing of about 100 dogs; investigators later exhumed 70 to 80 carcasses from a burial site.
On January 14, between 200 and 300 stray dogs were reportedly killed in five villages of Kamareddy district, prompting police to register cases against six individuals, including five sarpanchs. Earlier, between January 6 and January 9, nearly 300 dogs were reported dead in Shyampet and Arepally villages of Hanamkonda district.
Animal welfare organisations allege that the killings point to a coordinated response by some newly elected panchayat representatives to address public complaints about stray dogs and monkeys. Police sources said in several cases, sarpanchs allegedly hired individuals to administer toxic injections to dogs, followed by mass burial outside village limits.
The state government has not yet issued an official statement on the recent allegations, but senior officials said district administrations have been asked to ensure that stray animal control measures follow legal and humane protocols, including sterilisation and vaccination.
Activists have demanded a judicial inquiry and stricter enforcement of animal protection laws, warning that failure to act could normalise vigilante-style solutions to civic issues.
