After 1,200 street dog deaths in Telangana, 5 canines poisoned in Bhopal

Against this backdrop, the Bhopal incident has triggered outrage among residents and animal lovers. According to activists, unidentified persons allegedly mixed poison in food and fed it to stray dogs, triggering outrage.

Even as the Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order in a case concerning the management of stray dogs across the country, fresh reports of animal cruelty have surfaced, underlining the urgency of the issue. Just days after reports emerged of over 1,200 stray dogs being poisoned in Telangana within a month, a similar incident has now come to light from Madhya Pradesh’s capital, Bhopal, where five stray dogs, including a puppy, were allegedly poisoned to death.

The apex court reserved its verdict after hearing detailed arguments from all stakeholders, including animal rights activists, dog lovers, victims of dog bite incidents, and lawyers representing the Centre and various state governments. The case has brought renewed focus on the growing conflict between public safety concerns and animal welfare, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.

Against this backdrop, the Bhopal incident has triggered outrage among residents and animal lovers. According to activists, unidentified persons allegedly mixed poison in food and fed it to stray dogs in Laxmi Campus under Shahpura police station. The dogs, which were regularly fed and cared for by local residents, went missing from the colony on January 25.

Residents later found two dogs dead behind bushes in a deserted ground nearby. Further searches led to the discovery of two more dead dogs and a puppy at a short distance. Some of the animals were rushed to a veterinary hospital after being found unconscious, but four of them, including the puppy, died during treatment. Doctors later confirmed that the cause of death was poisoning.

Shahpura police have registered an FIR against unknown persons and initiated an investigation. Residents have demanded that CCTV footage installed in the campus be examined to identify those responsible and ensure strict action.

The Bhopal case comes amid widespread concern over reports from Telangana, where activists allege that more than 1,200 stray dogs were killed, mostly by poisoning, in the run-up to gram panchayat elections. Animal welfare groups have claimed that the killings were linked to election promises aimed at “clearing” villages of stray dogs. The incidents have led to multiple police cases and protests across the state.