Three stray dogs were shot dead by unidentified persons near a farmhouse in Gudimalkapur area here, police said on Tuesday.
locals who heard the shots and noticed the dogs dead informed the matter to police, they said.
Following a complaint lodged by a resident of the area, a case under Section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle etc) of IPC has been registered against unknown persons, Tappachabutra Police Station Inspector B Ravinder said.
"We are inquiring into the matter... It is suspected that the bullets were fired from the farmhouse," Ravinder said, adding that bullets were shot from an air-gun.
An autopsy was conducted on the stray dogs.
last month, eight boys (in the age group of 10-17) were apprehended for allegedly burning alive three puppies at a graveyard in Musheerabad area of the city.