Telangana police have registered three separate cases against 16 people across Kamareddy, Warangal and Jagitial districts for allegedly poisoning and killing more than 500 stray dogs over the past 10 days, officials said.
In Kamareddy district, a case was registered at Machareddy police station on January 12 against six individuals, including five gram panchayat sarpanches. The complaint alleged that around 200 stray dogs were killed in Bhavanipet, Palwancha, Faridpet, Wadi and Banda Rameshwarpally villages between January 10 and 12. The accused allegedly arranged for poisonous injections to be administered to the dogs, after which their bodies were dumped in a water tank.
Based on the complaint filed by an animal welfare organisation, police booked the accused under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to killing or maiming animals, along with sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
A similar case was registered in Warangal district following a complaint that nearly 300 stray dogs were killed in Shayampet and Arepally villages between January 5 and 9. Police booked nine individuals, including village sarpanches, secretaries, and others allegedly hired to carry out the killings, under relevant sections of the BNS and the animal cruelty law.
In Jagitial district, police registered another case after receiving a complaint that at least 30 stray dogs were poisoned to death in the Dharmapuri area between December 28 and 30. The incident was reportedly recorded on video and widely circulated on social media.
Animal rights groups have condemned the incidents, calling the killings inhuman and distressing. They expressed concern that despite the registration of FIRs, no arrests have been made so far, as the offences are bailable. Police said further investigation is ongoing in all three cases.

Police book 16 people for poisoning over 500 stray dogs across three districts

Telangana: Cases Filed Over Mass Killing of Dogs

Police book 16 people for poisoning over 500 stray dogs across three districts

January 16, 2026 | 16:47 IST