Memorial Billboard by PETA India Highlights More Than 1,500 Community Dogs Poisoned to Death in Telangana
In memory of some 1,500 community dogs who have been poisoned to death across multiple districts in Telangana, PETA India has erected a stark in-memory billboard condemning this large-scale, systematic killing. These dogs were reportedly killed as part of an attempt to fulfil an election promise to make villages “dog-free”—a goal pursued through illegal and violent means that reflects a deeply troubling trend and a complete disregard for requirements under the Animal Birth Control Rules (ABC) 2023 for dogs to be sterilized and returned to their localities and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 which prohibits the killing. The initiative is to encourage accountability for one of the gravest acts of cruelty to animals the state has witnessed in recent years. The dogs were often poisoned in broad daylight with the killings taking place in Dharmapuri, Jagtial district; Shyampet and Arepally villages in Hanamkonda district; Faridpet, Wadi, Palwancha, Bhavanipet and Bandarameshwarpally in Kamareddy district; Yacharam in Rangareddy district; and Badhankurthi in Nirmal district.
Under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the maiming or killing of any animal, including by poisoning, is a cognisable offence punishable with imprisonment for up to five years, a fine, or both. And research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals, including humans. A study published in Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal stated, “Those who engage in cruelty to animals to animals were [three] times more likely to commit other crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, harassment, threats, and drug/substance abuse.” PETA India is urging authorities to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Community dogs are intelligent, generally peaceful animals who coexist with and are loved by many residents. PETA India maintains that memorials such as this billboard are necessary not only to honour the victims, but also to confront the public and authorities with the consequences of normalising mass violence against animals.
Nayapool Circle, High Court Road, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500012.
