‘Stray dog problem worsening in city, control measures inadequate’

Councillors flagged the rising stray dog menace and the limited impact of Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination measures, at the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Council meeting.

Ward 138 Councillor K. Kannan said the stray dog population had risen from 40,000 to nearly two lakh in the last four years, and could reach three lakh next year.

When he enquired about the ABC surgery status and its efficiency, GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran said that only 85 surgeries could be done per day.

Mayor R. Priya said: “ABC surgery can be performed onlyafter a dog is eight months old. Nothing can be done if a dog gives birth beforehand. While there have been reports of aggression in sterilised dogs, there have been no complaints about them reproducing post-surgery. ABC centres and veterinary clinics will soon be set up in all the 15 zones.” The Corporation had also requested MPs to address the issue in the Parliament, she added.

Councillor Fathima Muzaffer Ahmed (IUML) called for a probe committee, noting that solely relying on ABC surgeries had not helped.

DMK Floor Leader N. Ramalingam said, “The issue of street dogs recurs every month… It is clear that no decision has been made [by the GCC to control the menace],” he added. To this, Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had called for steps to address the issue in all local bodies, and that a decision would be made after legal consultation.

When Councillor Siva Raajashekaran (INC) suggested that the street dogs be secured within a large area of land, Mayor R. Priya said that impounding indefinitely was against the Union government’s ABC Rules, 2023.

Councillor P. Subramani (MDMK) demanded strict laws against owners who abandon pets. The Mayor said pet licensing and micro-chipping were mandatory.

Councillor Parithielamsurithi (DMK) said more than 50 street dogs were being housed in a residence on Arasappa Street since 2022. “The stench is overwhelming. There should be a limit on the number of pets each person is allowed to own,” he said.

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