Telangana Village Grapples with Dog Bite Menace and Mass Culling Allegations
Yacharam village in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district, located 50 km from Hyderabad, has been thrust into the national spotlight due to a distressing crisis involving stray dogs and alleged mass killings. Villagers express deep frustration over frequent dog bites, with government data revealing an alarming average of nine cases per month, while police investigations uncover carcasses and book 17 individuals, including local leaders.
A Glimpse into the Healthcare Burden
At the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Yacharam, nurse J Deepthi opens a thick government ledger to highlight the severity of the situation. "A child of five years came in with a dog bite on the head. Her eyebrow was nearly torn off," she recounts. Another case involved a 35-year-old with a deep tear in his left calf muscle. Deepthi explains that such injuries often exceed the PHC's capacity, necessitating referrals to larger hospitals, which are costly or distant for many villagers.
A 55-year-old resident, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, voices the community's exhaustion: "We are tired of dog bites. We need the government to step up and do something." Another villager points to the persistent presence of stray dogs, adding, "The menace is far from over. We really don't know what to do with the dogs, and the government too seems to be clueless."
Alarming Statistics and Political Promises
According to government hospital data, Yacharam recorded 109 dog bite cases between January 2025 and 2026, while 24 surrounding villages reported 667 cases during the same period. In 2024, Telangana state witnessed 1.22 lakh dog bites, with 2025 data still pending compilation. Senior health officials assure that rabies vaccines are in ample supply, but the caseload remains overwhelming.
A Swamy, senior nursing staff at the Yacharam PHC, admits, "The case load of dog bites is difficult for us to handle." This crisis influenced local politics, with many sarpanchs promising to rid villages of dogs during the December 2025 panchayat elections.
Mass Culling Allegations and Police Action
In response to the dog killings, police have booked 17 people, including five village sarpanches and three secretaries, under sections related to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Among them are Yacharam sarpanch Anitha and her husband Sharanam, though no arrests have been made. NGO Stray Animals Foundation of India (SAFI) alleges that 900 dogs were killed across four Telangana districts, including 100 in Yacharam, while police estimate the number at around 370.
Circle Inspector Nandeshwar Reddy states, "We have dug up 30 carcasses in Yacharam." Anitha, who became sarpanch in December 2025, claims ignorance, saying, "I was unwell and away on the day the dogs were allegedly killed." Despite this, villagers express gratitude toward the couple, whose posters adorn the village.
Legal and Community Responses
SAFI member M Preethi alleges that sarpanchs hired pest controllers to catch and kill dogs. The killings came to light after a pet owner reported a missing dog, which was found dead among the strays. Adulapuram Goutham of SAFI emphasizes, "In our experience, taking legal course is the best way to prevent cruelty towards animals."
Villagers are aware of Supreme Court hearings on street dog management, where the court suggested heavy compensation for bite incidents and prohibited street feeding. However, they argue this isn't applicable in Yacharam, as dogs forage from nearby poultry farms and shops. Inspector Reddy notes that poultry farmers have been advised to ensure proper waste disposal.
Broader Animal Menace and Government Stance
Telangana Panchayat Raj Minister Danasari Anasuya condemns the killings as "illegal" and "inhumane," warning of strict action while advocating sterilization and vaccination as solutions. SAFI proposes community adoption and care for stray dogs, including sterilization and vaccination.
Beyond dogs, Yacharam faces other animal-related issues. PHC data shows 68 monkey bites and 44 cat attacks between January 2025 and 2026, all requiring anti-rabies vaccination. A villager laments, "It's almost as if the government does not care for those who live among these animals."
As the Supreme Court considers petitions on stray dog management, Yacharam stands as a poignant test case, highlighting the urgent need for balanced, humane policies to address both public safety and animal welfare in rural India.
