Over 46,000 Stray Dogs Vaccinated In Chennai After Supreme Court Order
The Greater Chennai Corporation has stepped up its stray dog control measures in line with the recent Supreme Court order on street dogs, which upheld humane management through sterilisation and vaccination while banning culling.
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The GCC has also initiated a pet registration campaign. (Representational)
Chennai:
Following the recent Supreme Court directive on street dogs, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has intensified its stray dog management efforts. The court ruling upholds humane treatment through sterilization and vaccination while prohibiting culling practices.
Within the last month, the municipal authority has administered rabies vaccines to 46,122 dogs. Furthermore, over 12,000 dogs have been microchipped for identification purposes and geo-mapped to monitor their sterilization and vaccination records.
The corporation maintains five Animal Birth Control (ABC) centers throughout the city, collectively capable of performing approximately 115 surgical procedures daily. Following surgery, stray dogs receive care including food, water, and medical attention for four to six days before being returned to their original locations, as required by the ABC Rules 2023. Officials emphasized that culling remains strictly forbidden.
"We prioritize vaccination, sterilization, and prevention rather than culling. Public participation is essential as well. Residents must register their pets, ensure they're vaccinated, and refrain from abandonment; these steps are necessary for Chennai to achieve sustainable control of the stray dog population," stated a senior GCC official.
The GCC has additionally launched a pet registration initiative, requiring mandatory rabies vaccination for all pet dogs, with a registration fee of Rs 50. According to GCC statistics, more than 13,000 dogs have been registered thus far.
Moreover, in August, the GCC established a WhatsApp helpline (94450 61913) offering various services, including dog vaccine registration, eliminating the need for in-person visits and waiting in long lines.
In its modification of the previous order last month, the Supreme Court also instructed civic bodies to ensure public safety without resorting to cruelty, by rigorously implementing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules and preventing pet abandonment.
In accordance with the Madras High Court's recent directive and the Supreme Court's broader guidelines, the GCC has developed emergency protocols for rabies-affected and suspected dogs, including specialized quarantine facilities with approximately 500 kennels.
A 2024 survey conducted in collaboration with Worldwide Veterinary Services estimated Chennai's stray dog population at around 180,000. Over the past four years, the GCC has vaccinated 134,000 dogs against rabies and sterilized more than 71,000 dogs.
Experts, however, suggest that local authorities across the country bear significant responsibility for the nationwide stray dog crisis, accusing them of failing to effectively implement dog sterilization programs despite repeated court orders. They argue that ineffective sterilization efforts have directly contributed to the increasing stray dog population and rabies concerns.
Municipal authorities defend their position by explaining that sterilization and vaccination campaigns were disrupted during the COVID-19 lockdown, creating a backlog that they are only now addressing.