Sun Nov 09 00:00:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Chennai to Survey Stray Dogs Following Supreme Court Order

CHENNAI, November 9, 2025 – The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced it will begin surveying stray dogs at educational institutions, hospitals, Metrorail stations, railway stations, and bus stands throughout the city. This action comes in response to a recent Supreme Court directive ordering the relocation of these animals to designated shelters.

The GCC previously explored the possibility of constructing dog shelters in 2013 but faced opposition from animal welfare activists. Now, the corporation aims to complete the survey within a week and identify suitable land for the construction of shelters. Plans for the number of shelters is yet to be finalized, they are also looking to partner with NGOs to manage the facilities. The GCC has already allocated land in Manali and Vadaperumbakkam for two shelters specifically for dogs exhibiting rabies symptoms.

Harsha Koda, co-founder of the Federation of OMR Resident Associations (FOMRRA), advocates for a humane approach to stray dog management. FOMRRA proposes the establishment of designated feeding stations, mandatory feeder registration, and the deployment of mobile vaccination and sterilisation units. Koda believes a status quo should be maintained until these facilities are in place. Furthermore, the feeders should adhere to the allocated feeding times and locations and be responsible for neutering, registering with microchips, and vaccinating the dogs they feed.

Animal welfare activist Jayanth Prakash criticizes the Supreme Court order as impractical, citing the time required for the state government to establish adequate shelters. Prakash also notes the order does not apply to dogs within housing units, apartments, and gated communities.

Concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact on existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs. There is fear that the order may negatively affect current stray dog population control activities due to the lack of additional space and infrastructure to house a large number of dogs from different parts of the city at the existing ABC centres. Clarity on the Supreme Court directive is expected in the upcoming hearing.

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