Velagaleru, NTR District (Andhra Pradesh):
In a deeply disturbing incident that has triggered widespread anger, hundreds of stray dogs — including puppies — were allegedly killed and dumped into open pits at Velagaleru village in NTR district on Saturday. The animals were reportedly administered lethal injections and buried near the Polavaram Right Main Canal, raising serious concerns over illegal animal culling, violation of Supreme Court directions, and environmental hazards.
According to preliminary findings and local testimonies, villagers claimed that contract killers were hired to carry out the mass culling, with payments allegedly made on a per-dog basis. Visual evidence from the site shows multiple carcasses piled inside deep pits, some partially covered with soil, indicating an organised and systematic operation rather than an isolated act.
Mass Animal Cruelty in Andhra Pradesh: 250+ Stray Dogs Killed Despite Supreme Court Ban
What Locals Told the Reporter
During on-ground inquiries, residents described how the killings took place while many were away at work. One woman, visibly shaken, told the reporter:
“I went for work. Before I returned, they killed all the dogs.”
When asked about the scale of the killings, she added:
“They killed two dogs first, then came inside and killed one more. Many more were killed after that.”
She further claimed that the perpetrators said they had “orders from the top”, suggesting official or political backing. Locals estimated that around 400 dogs may have been killed across the area, not just in one location. Some residents alleged that a few dogs were tied with ropes to make them appear as pets, in an attempt to save them from being killed.
There were also claims circulating in the village that ₹500 was paid per dog to carry out the killings. While these allegations are yet to be officially verified, multiple residents independently repeated the same figures, pointing to a shared understanding of how the operation was conducted.
Residents urged journalists and authorities to also visit nearby areas such as Kollerugudem and locations near the Secretariat and Saibaba Temple, where similar killings were allegedly carried out.
Source : Instagram
Violation of Supreme Court Orders
The incident comes despite clear directions from the Supreme Court of India, which has repeatedly held that stray dogs cannot be killed as a population control measure. The court has emphasised that animal birth control (ABC), sterilisation, vaccination, and relocation to shelters — not killing — are the lawful and scientific methods to manage free-ranging dog populations.
Animal welfare groups allege that the Velagaleru killings directly violate these orders and reflect a misuse or misinterpretation of court directions by local authorities or influential individuals.
Legal Provisions Attracted
Legal experts and animal rights activists state that the incident attracts multiple criminal provisions, including:
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Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 – Section 11 (cruelty and killing of animals)
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Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 281 & 325 (acts endangering life and causing harm)
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Motor Vehicles Act Sections 177, 184 & 134(b) (if vehicles were used to transport animals unlawfully)
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Contempt of Supreme Court Orders on protection and humane handling of community dogs
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Supreme Court Humane Handling & ABC Guidelines, which strictly prohibit culling
Demand for Accountability
Animal welfare organisations and citizens are demanding:
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Immediate registration of FIRs against all involved, including contractors and officials
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Exhumation and forensic examination of the pits
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Suspension of responsible municipal or panchayat officials pending inquiry
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Protection for surviving dogs in Velagaleru, Kollerugudem, and nearby areas
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A court-monitored investigation to prevent destruction of evidence
Environmental concerns have also been raised, as burying large numbers of carcasses near a canal used for irrigation and drinking water could pose serious public health risks.
Ongoing Investigation
At the time of publishing, officials had not released an official statement clarifying who authorised the operation. Animal rights activists say they are compiling evidence, including videos and eyewitness accounts, to submit to higher authorities and the courts.
As public pressure mounts, the Velagaleru incident has become a grim reminder of how fear-driven narratives and illegal actions can lead to mass cruelty — despite clear laws and judicial protections in place.
