A viral video of the Vande Bharat Sleeper's new "dog box" has sparked a debate on animal comfort. Learn about the pet facility, how to book it, and the other luxury features of India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train. A viral video circulating on social media showing the facility of a dedicated
United States' tennis star Iva Jovic has revealed the tips that she got from 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic ahead of her Australian Open campaign, as the former was visibly overwhelmed when speaking after her big win over Jasmine Paolini. Jovic, the 18-year-old from Los Angeles and No
Border 2 Box Office Collection Day 1: Sunny Deol returns in uniform in Anurag Singh's ambitious war sequel has created history. Breaking all records, Border 2 has earned Rs 30 crore on its opening day in India. With this, the film, which also stars Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh in the lead
Silver prices surged past the $100-per-ounce mark in international markets on Friday, extending an extraordinary rally from 2025 into the new year as strong retail participation, momentum-driven buying and prolonged tightness in physical markets pushed the precious and industrial metal sharply
India's prolific all-rounder Hardik Pandya etched his name deeper into Indian cricket history during the second T20I against the New Zealand national cricket team, achieving a significant milestone in the shortest format of the game. India's prolific all-rounder Hardik Pandya etched his name deeper
Indian state investigates killings of hundreds of stray dogs
Indian state investigates killings of hundreds of stray dogs
Authorities in the southern Indian state of Telangana have launched an investigation after hundreds of stray dogs were killed across at least six villages in the past month.
Police say they have confirmed at least 354 killings so far and arrested nine people in connection with some of the cases.
Animal welfare activists have told the BBC that the dogs were either poisoned or given lethal injections, but police say they are waiting for forensic reports to establish the method used.
Villagers have said that the killings were linked to promises made by candidates during recent local election campaigns to get rid of stray dogs and monkeys.
The killings have come at a time when India is witnessing a larger debate about stray animals and the country's top court is hearing petitions about how to rid the city streets, including in the capital Delhi, of stray dogs. But killings on such a large scale are rare and have elicited outrage.
Stray animals - mostly dogs but also cattle and monkeys - are considered a persistent problem in many parts of India, where they are often blamed for attacks on people, crop damage and traffic accidents.
The problem is attributed to a combination of factors, including gaps in sterilisation and vaccination programmes, rubbish piling up, abandonment of animals, shrinking forest habitats and uneven enforcement of laws.
While stray dogs, in particular, are often enmeshed in the fabric of daily life, forming strong bonds with local communities, animal rights activists have frequently flagged cruelty towards them, warning that the country does not have strong enough penalties.
Telangana state minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka told the Hindu newspaper that the killings were "illegal" and "inhumane", warning that those responsible would face strict action.
The issue of how to handle stray dogs is also being debated at present in the Supreme Court.
In August last year, the court ordered authorities in Delhi and its suburbs to move all stray dogs from streets to animal shelters in just two months. After widespread protests, the court modified the order, asking for the animals to be immunised and vaccinated before being released back to their neighbourhoods.
Animal welfare groups argue that putting dogs into already-overburdened shelters is unscientific, while those seeking removal of stray dogs from public places say unchecked populations is endangering people's lives and livelihoods.
The killings in Telangana were spread across three districts and occurred between late December and mid-January. Police say they may have taken place over several days in each location.
In Kamareddy district, "244 dogs died and were buried in four locations", S Anil, a police sub-inspector, told BBC Telugu.
"Government veterinary doctors have conducted post-mortems and sent samples to the lab," said Anil, adding that council heads of three villages were found to be involved.
In Shayampet and Arepally villages near Telangana's Warangal city, police say 110 dogs were killed. Police sub-inspector J Parameshwar told BBC Telugu that nine people, including village council heads, have been arrested.
In Jagtial city, police are investigating a complaint that around 40 dogs were killed on 28 and 30 December but no bodies had been recovered so far.
Minister Seethakka told the Hindu newspaper that killing stray dogs under the pretext of population control could not be justified under any circumstances.
The government has issued clear instructions to all village councils to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, she added.
Animal welfare activists allege that the number of dogs that have been culled is much higher than what the police have confirmed so far.
Some residents, however, have defended the killings.
Raju (who goes by just his first name), the son of the Arepally village head, told the BBC that only rabid dogs were killed, saying they were diseased, aggressive and had caused road accidents and serious injuries.
Another resident, Vijay (goes by first name), said most villagers supported the decision, citing fears of dog bites and disease.
Telangana recorded nearly 122,000 dog bite cases in 2024, according to federal government records, but no dog bite-related rabies deaths were recorded in the same period.
The dog killings have coincided with other alleged incidents involving stray animals in Telangana, including a case reported by The Times of India in which several monkeys were found dead or critically injured after being allegedly tranquillised and dumped along a highway in Kamareddy district.
Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook
Source: BBC
Related Posts: From The Beckhams To Indian Families Who is the first Indian director to represent Indian cinema at Republic Day Outrage after Indian man drowns in open pit after begging for help for hours Apple asks court to halt Indian antitrust inquiry into App Store policies Indian woman arrested after suicide of man she accused of sexual misconduct Indian IT Adapting Well to AI Shift Karnataka HC permits operation of bike taxis in state Singapore Woman’s Video Exposes Alarming Reality Of Indian Railway Coaches Indian Entrepreneur Goes Blinkit-Free For 5 Months A story from an Indian entrepreneur who made a switch to no quick commerce
Europe learned a vital lesson at Davos: defending sovereignty and territorial integrity collectively is crucial against aggressive great powers. The continent's unified stance, backed by economic countermeasures, forced a retreat from President Trump's demands regarding Greenland
2 minutes ago
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has released the NEET SS 2025 results. Candidates who appeared for the NEET Super Speciality (NEET SS) 2025 test can check and download their scorecard at natboard.edu.in. The NEET SS 2025 tests took place on December 26 and 27, 2025
2 minutes ago
Uorfi Javed has always been candid about her life beyond just fashion and work. Recently, the actor and influencer opened up about a deeply personal struggle during a time when her health was at its lowest. She shared her experience with extreme weight loss, poor eating habits
1 minutes ago
Former UK politician Philip Young admitted to committing a string of sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape, against his former wife over a period of 13 years. Philip Young (49), who reportedly divorced his wife in 2024, pleaded guilty to several charges
1 minutes ago
The Duke of Sussex has called for the sacrifices of Nato troops to be "spoken about truthfully and with respect", after the US president claimed allies stayed "a little back" from the front lines in Afghanistan. "I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there," Prince Harry
1 minutes ago
Every January, as the Republic Day parades remind us of India's vibrant diversity, there's a quieter way to celebrate the same spirit by stepping out to experience it yourself. This long weekend, ditch quick cold staycations and let slow travel become a small act of connection: with craft, culture
1 minutes ago
Redmi Note 15 Pro series India launch date: Xiaomi is gearing up to launch the Redmi Note 15 Pro series in India on January 29, following the recent debut of the Redmi Note 15 earlier this month. The upcoming lineup is expected to include two smartphones
1 minutes ago
Today, we use UPI for every small and large payment. Through UPI, you can make even large payments in just a few minutes. We often think that we need to have money in our bank account to make payments via UPI, but that's not the case. You can make payments even without funds in your bank account
2 minutes ago
Arunachal Pradesh is becoming a major power hub and a key player in India's startup scene. Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted the state's progress at Startup Arunachal Day 2026. Initiatives like APIIP are supporting young entrepreneurs. The government is doubling seed funding and intake
1 minutes ago
India produced a breathtaking run chase in Raipur, rewriting the T20I record books with a dominant victory over New Zealand. Chasing a daunting 200-plus target, the hosts not only won in style but also surpassed a long-standing record previously held by Pakistan
1 minutes ago
The fog is back in Punjab. Kohrra's second season digs deeper, with even more melancholy. Premiering on 11 February on Netflix, the show moves to a new location with a new power dynamic, pairing returning assistant sub-inspector Amarpal Garundi (Barun Sobti) with a new commanding officer
1 minutes ago
Republic Day Parade 2026: Rocket launcher system ‘Suryastra' with deep-strike capabilities, newly raised Bhairav light commando battalion, and Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels will be part of the Republic Day Parade for the first time
1 minutes ago
An Indian woman and three of her relatives were shot dead in an apparent domestic dispute in the US state of Georgia, while three children hid in a closet to escape the violence, authorities said. The shooting occurred early Friday at a residence in Lawrenceville city, near Atlanta
2 minutes ago
The undivided Bastar region—now bifurcated into seven districts in the State of Chhattisgarh—has long been associated with conflict between the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and the State and Central governments. A conflict that continues in parts of the region
2 minutes ago
Discover practical headphone options on Amazon that balance comfort, sound quality, and battery life for daily listening, work, travel, and casual entertainment across wired and wireless preferences. It is necessary to select the appropriate headphones based on everyday use, comfort levels
2 minutes ago
After 45, directorJadeshaa K. Hampi's Landlord provides ample proof of the strong potential of multi-starrers in cinema. Give the big stars interesting characters, offer them room to perform, blend their roles convincingly with the story, and watch the magic unfold on the big screen
2 minutes ago
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins signed left-hander Taylor Rogers to a one-year, $2 million contract to bring the veteran reliever back to his original team as part of a bullpen revamp Friday, while also finalizing a two-year, $14 million deal with catcher Victor Caratini
2 minutes ago
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday accused Governor R N Ravi of undermining the dignity of his office by refusing to read out the customary address at the start of the Assembly session. Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday claimed that Governor R N Ravi "insulted"
2 minutes ago
The UN Human Rights Council decided on Friday (January 23, 2026) to deepen its scrutiny of Iran over its crackdown on protests that left thousands dead, including children, amid demands it end its “brutal repression”. The 47-member body voiced alarm about “the unprecedented scale
2 minutes ago
Diplomats from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are meeting in Abu Dhabi. They are discussing a plan to end the ongoing war. The fate of the Donbas region remains a major obstacle. This meeting is part of ongoing efforts to find a political solution
2 minutes ago
One in seven people in the world use TikTok. Yet for the company behind such a cultural phenomenon, the last few years have been a rollercoaster. Concerns over the app first surfaced more than five years ago, prompting President Trump, in his first term
2 minutes ago
Canada's Arctic is a massive, treacherous, and largely inhospitable place, stretched out over nearly 4 million square kilometres of territory - but with a small population roughly equal to Blackburn in England or Syracuse, New York. You can take a map of continental Europe
2 minutes ago
Ahead of nu-metal legends Linkin Park's first-ever show in India, bassist Dave Farrell sounds grounded and slightly astonished that the band is standing where it is again. After a seven-year silence following Chester Bennington's death in 2017
2 minutes ago
Ranvir Shorey dismissed AR Rahman's claim of communal bias in Bollywood, saying industry struggles are more about power, politics, and practical factors than religion. New Delhi: Actor Ranvir Shorey has reacted to music composer AR Rahman's recent controversial remarks about Bollywood
2 minutes ago
International Day Of Education 2026: January 24 is globally celebrated as the International Day of Education to highlight the transformative role knowledge plays in developing our society and the world at large. This is of particular significance to India with its commitment towards becoming the
2 minutes ago
IndusInd Bank's standalone net profit fell 88.5% to ₹161 crore in the quarter-ended December 2025, as against ₹1401 crore in the same period last year. The bank's net interest income (NII) reduced 13% to ₹4562 crore in the reporting quarter
2 minutes ago
Blast walls, rocket attacks, Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)... and long queues in the canteen. Anyone who deployed to Afghanistan, in whatever role, between 2001-2021 will have their own vivid memories of that time.Blast walls, rocket attacks
2 minutes ago
