A controversy has erupted in Tandur Gram Panchayat of Mancherial district in Telanga after the alleged mass death of stray dogs. Local officials, with assistance from a specialist from Guntur, administered anaesthesia injections to sedate the dogs. Subsequently, the sedated animals were reportedly relocated to a forest area, reported the news agency IANS.
However, it is alleged that around 50 dogs died following the relocation. While the Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO), Srinivas, has dismissed allegations of intentional killing, citing concerns about the spread of rabies, the incident has sparked outrage among animal rights activists.
Earlier, a horrific incident came to light last month, where 21 dogs died after they were allegedly thrown from a 40-ft high bridge by unknown people in Sangareddy's Eddumailaram village. Following a complaint by volunteers at Citizens for Animals, the Indrakaran police registered a case and started a probe.
The incident came to light on Jan 4 when Citizens for Animals, an animal welfare organisation, received an anonymous tip-off about distressed cries near the site.