On a calm Sunday morning in Yacharam, Telangana, life seemed normal. But only days earlier, the village was in the news for the mass killing of stray dogs. Police found 37 dead dogs, but locals say nearly 70 were killed using poisoned darts shot by hired squads. The newly elected sarpanch, Masku Anita Saranam, and Panchayat secretary Kishan Naik are named as co-accused in the police complaint. Villagers said the dogs, seen as dangerous and feral, attack children and livestock. Anil Kumar, a resident, said, "We cannot let our children go to school unescorted." The killing stopped only after a pet was mistakenly killed, prompting an alarm. This incident is part of a wider trend across Telangana, where over 1,500 stray dogs have been killed in several villages since panchayat elections last December. Animal welfare activists like Preethi Mudavath of SAFI report increasing alerts of killings aimed at appeasing voters before upcoming local elections. Yacharam's residents share stories of dog attacks causing serious injuries and livestock loss. The village struggles with poor waste and stray dog management, common in Telangana. As fear rises, NGOs working to protect animals face backlash. Actor Renu Desai and Amala Akkineni of Blue Cross have faced online trolling for opposing cruelty. Legal frameworks allow humane euthanasia but lack clear implementation in villages like Yacharam. With no proper resources, mass killings have become a grim choice driven by fear. The police investigation continues, while villagers await answers amid a growing conflict between safety concerns and animal welfare.