Stray dog problem in Chennai Running Wild, needs a tight leash

Each morning in Shanthi Colony, residents are awoken by the howls of stray dogs. A. Abdul Rahim, president of the Madras Consumer Court Bar Association and a resident for over five decades, says the issue has worsened as abandoned pets now roam in packs, especially near Tower Park and Tower Club.

Incidents of dogs chasing vehicles and attempting to bite pedestrians, particularly near mosques during early morning prayers, are have become increasingly common. “Joggers are among those affected. Dogs often gather around dumps and bins,” he notes, urging revisions to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules, 2023.

As per these Union government guidelines, street dogs must be sterilised, vaccinated, and returned to their original location. Dogs suspected of being rabid or exhibiting aggressive behaviour are to be isolated and observed... Aggressive dogs not suffering from rabies are to be treated and rehabilitated before release... The rules prohibit the relocation of stray dogs to new areas, as this can lead to territorial fights and the spread of diseases.”

Caught Between Varying Mindsets 

According to Shankar, a resident of R.A. Puram and self-described dog lover, the issue lies more with people’s attitudes than the dogs themselves. He believes that intolerance among certain residents leads to unfair demands for mass removal. “They are part of the urban ecosystem. 

They have their own territories and way of life,” he says, stressing that their autonomy matters. While acknowledging a steady decline in stray numbers over the last two decades, he calls for more robust sterilisation efforts. Most strays, he claims, are harmless, and the few displaying hostile behaviour can be handled without blanket impounding.

Data from the Greater Chennai Corporation reveals that as of April 22 this year, 6,194 dogs were captured, of which 5,661 were sterilised. Sundar, a temporary dog catcher with the Corporation for nearly 20 years, says they operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., responding solely to complaints. 

“Some residents obstruct us from capturing dogs, while others criticise us for releasing them back post-surgery. But they don’t understand the ABC rules,” he explains. Dogs picked up from places like railway and Metro Rail stations are typically released nearby following sterilisation.

A zonal veterinary officer points out that most dog-bite complaints trace back not to strays, but to unowned pet dogs left to roam by negligent owners who skip vaccinations and fail to follow birth control procedures.

Complaints about cats

She further explains that removing dogs from an area only makes room for others to move in, attracted by food availability. Moreover, with sterilised dogs becoming less territorial, complaints about stray cats have surged.

“Pregnant and lactating mother dogs and puppies aged below seven months are returned as they are unfit for the ABC procedure. Lactation ranges from 45 days to 60 days, depending on the pups or their environment. Confining such dogs to shelters may cause depression and reduced immunity among the animals; and they would also contract illness or suffer injuries owing to pack dynamics,” she says.

According to her, aggression among strays often stems from trauma; injuries from accidents or witnessing other dogs harmed, as well as maternal protectiveness. “Anger is not an inherent behaviour,” she adds.

To address the growing concern, the Tamil Nadu government now plans to establish shelters for abandoned dogs in every district. Shruti Vinod Raj, member of the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB), confirmed that 100 ABC centres will be launched statewide. The proposal was tabled in a recent multi-departmental meeting, and the TNAWB will oversee both dog-catching and sterilisation efforts.