Hyderabad, Jan 14: At least 15 individuals including village heads across the Hanamkonda and Kamareddy districts in Telangana have been booked on charges of mass killing of stray dogs.


Authorities allege the killings were part of a coordinated drive tied to local election promises.


The matter came to light after investigators uncovered horrific scenes of stray dogs being injected with unidentified toxins and later dumped in desolate areas.


According to reports, nearly 500 stray dogs were poisoned to death within the first two weeks of the new year. This marks one of the largest crackdowns on animal cruelty in the state's history.


Following complaints and evidence that surfaced regarding the organized culling of animals in several villages, police registered a case.


On basis of the case, 15 individuals have been booked under Section 325 (killing or poisoning of animals) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.


Among those booked are seven newly elected sarpanches from villages including Shayampet, Arepally, and the Palwancha area, who stand accused of authorising the mass culling of stray dogs.


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