Bengaluru: Twenty-three stray dogs and 55 crows were found dead in various localities in Goripalya on Monday morning. Civic authorities suspect they had all been poisoned.

While residents said stray dogs had become a menace in Goripalya, Ayub Khan, a shopkeeper, said garbage was not being cleared on time, which had resulted in an increase in the number of stray dogs.

(Representational photo)

“We complained to the local councillor and BBMP officials many times. But in vain,” he said. However, he said they did not know who had killed the dogs.

“I saw  a crowd when I came to the shop this morning. It was then that we got to know about the animal deaths,” he said.

A BBMP official said, “We found biryani packets where we found the corpses of animals. Some people may have deliberately mixed poison with biryani.”

DCP (West) Labhu Ram visited the spot and took stock of the situation. As JJ Nagar is considered sensitive, extra police security was put in place to prevent any untoward incident, he said.

A peace meeting has been arranged among leaders of different communities in the area. Three years ago, 20 stray dogs were poisoned to death in the city.