At least 40 stray dogs have been killed after applying potassium cyanide injection in a village in Kannur (north Kerala) on Saturday ignoring the loud protest of animal lovers. The panchayat authorities decided to kill the dogs following complaints on the disturbance of them. They were killed after catching them with the help of dog snatchers.

A case was registered under section 11 (1) (l)of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1960 Act, police sources said adding an inquiry was launched into the incident based on a complaint by Bina Williams of Kannur in south Indian state of Kerala.

Kerala Panchayat Denies Involvement in Killing of Stray Dogs:

The mass killing came to light when panchayat authorities tried to bury the carcasses of dogs discreetly. The killed strays include some puppies also. When animal-lovers questioned the mass culling they were allegedly manhandled by people who supported the move. The village had reported many dog-bite cases in the recent past.

Officials of Puzhathi panchayat near Kannur in Kerala today washed their hands of the mass killing of stray dogs, saying they had no role in it nor commissioned anyone to do it. “We have no role in the mass killing of stray dogs,” N. Ramakrishnan of the panchayat told media persons here on Sunday.

Outrage on Twitter:

Horrific & has to be seen. Dog-culling in Kannur, Kerala on Sat. Images on @IndiaToday accessed by @Iamtssudhir. pic.twitter.com/thALJoMamD

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 25, 2015

@Iamtssudhir @umasudhir Its GOD’s own not DOG’s.. Are we not predators..

— bhaskara (@bhaskaraone) August 25, 2015

Calcutta protest against Kerala dog culling. Shame on u killers of Kerala @movelogical @PandeyKamna @TandonRaveena pic.twitter.com/l0rqd9P3HF

— sushil gopal singh (@gopal_sushil) August 24, 2015

#SaveKeralaDogs Stray dogs in puzhathi panchayat Kerala killed with cyanide. Paid Rs. 300/dog for killing 40 dogs. pic.twitter.com/zqgmM1t6j7

— Prasenjit Dutta (@duttap1) August 23, 2015

Watch Video evidence of killing 40 dogs in Kerala:

For the past few months, the stray dog menace has been hugely debated in the Kerala assembly, forcing Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to call a meeting of various departments. The meeting agreed to go ahead with accepted norms like animal birth control measures and sterilisation of dogs by holding of special camps. It was also decided that rules should be adhered to when dangerous dogs need to be culled. According to reports, more than a lakh people have been bitten by stray dogs in the last year across the state.