Hyderabad: In a shocking incident of animal cruelty, almost 300 stray dogs were poisoned to death and buried in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. An animal rights activist has alleged that the dogs were killed on July 24, on the orders of the panchayat staff of Lingapalem and were later dumped in a pit near a lake. The horrific incident has sparked outrage on social media and netizens have demanded strict against the Panchayat members.

According to India Today, Fight for Animals activist Lalitha said that the panchayat of Lingapalem in West Godavari district had resolved to get rid of stray dogs in and around the village. But instead of sterilizing them, the gram panchayat engaged dog killers, who poisoned the dogs.

“I went to the site and saw many dog carcasses that were partially decomposed. After my inquiry, came to know that panchayat officials engaged some dog killers who killed the animals with poisoned injection,” she told India Today.

Reacting to the horrific cruelty, BJP National Secretary and co-incharge of Andhra Pradesh unit Sunil Deodhar asked Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to punish the guilty. “Animal Lovers & any sensible human should not let these barbaric killers go unpunished,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, one user condemned the shocking incident and wrote, ”Why Only Animals for Death? They don’t have Rights to Live? Want a strict Action against This,” while another said, ”Shocking indeed. Those ghouls must be punished!”

Here is how Twitter is reacting over the matter:

Dharmajigudem Sub Inspector Ramesh told ANI, “Lingapalem village panchayat staff have got killed almost 300 stray dogs in the village on July 24. The matter came to light when an animal rights activist named Challapalli Srilata complained to Dharmajigudem police on July 29.”

“Challapalli Srilata in her complaint said that she came to know that almost 300 stray dogs were killed with poisonous injections and were mercilessly thrown in a pit dug nearby village pond. Based on her complaint, Dharmajigudem police station cops have registered a case under section 429 of IPC and Section 11(l) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960”, the police official added.

The police have registered a case in this regard and have launched an inquiry.

(With ANI inputs)