Carcasses of 47 stray dogs were found on a by-pass road in Coimbatore.

In a shocking act of animal cruelty, 47 stray dogs were allegedly poisoned to death and the carcasses dumped on a by-pass road in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.Animal rights activist Kalpana Vasudevan blamed a local Pachayat for the alleged killing of the dogs.The dogs from Kamatchipuram village were reportedly taken for sterilization. But this weekend, they were discovered on the highway near village lying dead with their mouth and limbs tied."They could have brought them back in four or five days after sterlisation but they did not. All dogs were found dead. This is illegal," said Ms Vasudevan.The Animal Welfare Board of India has asked for a probe by the Coimbatore District Administration."It's a gross violation. Under the rules the only way to attack this problem is an aggressive animal birth control. It may take time but it's the only solution, but they don't want to do it," said Chinny Krishna, vice chairman of the boardOfficials of the Irugur Panchayat, who activists say are behind the dog killing, have denied allegations.Last week, neighbouring Kerala came under severe criticism for killing of dogs citing dog bites.Pointing out that the animal killing is illegal in the country, the board official said, an aggressive Animal Birth Control Programme is being run in coordination with civic bodies to gradually reduce birth of dogs.