Dog deaths: Case registered after Eluru's Chebrole Panchayat poisons 18 canines

Eluru: Animal rights activists are up in arms after 18 stray dogs were poisoned to death at Chebrole village under Unguturu Mandal in Eluru district. Animal rights activists accused the Chebrole Panchayat Secretary and the Sarpanch of ordering the killing of 18 stray dogs by administering poison injections.

Srilatha Challapalli, Treasurer of Challapalli Charitable Trust, which fights for animal issues, alleged that the village panchayat officials decided to kill the animals with the help of K Veerababu. The group said Veerababu was paid Rs 300 for killing a stray dog.

"Based on the information about the plans of killing stray dogs, our trust members, Y Madhu Pavani and Madhuri had gone to Chebrole village. By the time our team members reached, they had killed 18 stray dogs. We have filed a complaint at Chebrole police station," Srilatha said.

Police have registered a case under section 428 (mischief by killing or maiming animal) and 429 of IPC and section 11 (L) (treating animal cruelty) of the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (PCA) Act-1960. Police said an autopsy on the carcasses was conducted on Sunday to ascertain the cause of their death.

The animal rights group said that as per the GO of AP-693, the local body is supposed to conduct only birth control operations. "We are requesting the Chairman of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals to take action against the Panchayat Secretary and Sarpanch of the village for perpetuating crime," Srilatha said.

It may be recalled that Challapalli Charitable Trust has also condemned the killing of 300 stray dogs at Lingapalem in the West Godavari district in July 2021. They had approached the police to act against the local-body authorities for killing the stray dogs.

"We have observed that K Veerababu has been approaching the Sarpanches and others for killing stray dogs. We are requesting the police to take immediate action against Veerababu," said Y Madhu Pavani.