Authorities in Telangana's Nalgonda district are probing an incident in which 50 dogs were poisoned allegedly on the orders of the village head.
The stray dogs were on Wednesday found dead in Telladeverapalli village after some people poisoned them. They were suspected to be killed a day earlier. The bodies were taken in a truck and dumped at an irrigation project site near the village.
Village sarpanch Papa Nayak had reportedly ordered poisoning of dogs after locals complained about the dog menace. He had also received complaints of the street dogs attacking some people.
District collector Gaurav Uppal ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said action would be taken against those found guilty.
In another incident in Siddipet district, four municipal employees were suspended for their alleged involvement in the poisoning of over 70 dogs last month. The action came after former Union Minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi intervened in the matter on an appeal by some people.
According to a press note issued at the time, municipal staff were involved in the poisoning of the dogs and the district revenue officer were appointed as the inquiry officer to probe the issue.
The police also registered a case against them for cruelty to the animals.
According to Section 11(1)C of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, killing any animal (including stray dogs) by using the method of strychnine injections (poisoning) in the heart or in any other unnecessarily cruel manner is a cognizable offence and can attract a simple or rigorous imprisonment for a term, which may extend to two years or with a fine or both.
IANS inputs