Chennai is taking a proactive approach to address its stray dog population. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has declared a war on the stray dog menace, aiming to significantly increase the number of animal birth control surgeries performed annually. This ambitious plan involves boosting the city’s capacity for these surgeries from the current 15,000 to an ambitious target of 50,000 per year.
To achieve this goal, the GCC has allocated a substantial sum of ₹10 crore towards establishing two new animal birth control centers. These facilities will be located in Manali’s Thiyambakkam and Perungudi, each equipped to perform 25 surgeries per day. The existing centers at Pulianthope, Kannammapet, Meenambakkam, and Sholinganallur will also see their daily surgery capacity increase from 85 to 150. In addition, NGOs like Blue Cross will contribute another 10 surgeries daily, bringing the overall daily total to 210. This translates to an estimated 50,400 surgeries per year, enough to meet the GCC’s ambitious target.
To ensure the successful implementation of this program, the corporation plans to hire 11 veterinarians, 94 attendants and laborers, and nine security guards. The GCC is also planning to collaborate with Tanuvas (Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University) to ensure the quality of the ABC surgeries. This decision comes in response to complaints regarding post-surgery complications and instances of neutered dogs reproducing. The corporation is also considering hiring a project management consultant to further enhance the program’s efficiency.
At the monthly GCC council meeting where these plans were announced, several councillors raised important concerns. Councillor S Jeevan from ward 35 emphasized the need to review existing legal policies regarding the relocation of stray dogs, highlighting the fact that the city has grown significantly since these laws were established. Councillor S Bharathi from ward 152 proposed a vaccination camp alongside the ongoing dog census, and also advocated for the recruitment of more dog catchers. The GCC commissioner, J Kumaragurubaran, assured the council that necessary vaccinations would be procured and that the dog census, scheduled to conclude by August 31st, will be followed by a final tally of numbers by September 15th.
The GCC’s initiative reflects a commitment to addressing the stray dog issue in a humane and sustainable way. The increased focus on animal birth control surgeries coupled with the planned enhancements to infrastructure and the collaboration with NGOs and Tanuvas are important steps towards creating a more balanced environment for both humans and animals in Chennai. This proactive approach to animal welfare is a positive development for the city, demonstrating a commitment to responsible animal management.
