Chennai’s battle against stray dogs on public streets has hit a major roadblock. Weeks after the Supreme Court’s eight-week deadline expired, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is still grappling with slow progress in relocating these animals. The primary culprit? A severe shortage of shelters.
Back in November 2023, the apex court issued a firm directive to civic bodies nationwide: remove stray dogs from public areas to address mounting public safety concerns. In response, GCC announced financial incentives in December, offering Rs 50 per dog per day for food and Rs 750 daily for shelters housing over 20 dogs.
Despite the funding, most NGOs are hesitant, citing a lack of space and infrastructure. Officials admit that nearly all authorized shelters are operating at full capacity. The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB) provided a list of eight approved NGOs, but none currently have the capacity to take in more animals.
Negotiations are underway with two organizations, while groups in the city’s outskirts face the same space crunch. Action so far has been minimal. Recently, 40 strays were removed from the Madras High Court premises—21 shifted to an NGO shelter in Nemmeli, and the rest adopted.
GCC promised a citywide survey to assess the stray dog population, but it remains pending. To tackle the shelter shortage, the corporation has identified land in Madhavaram and Velachery for two specialized facilities, each designed to house 250 dogs, including those with rabies, canine distemper, or aggressive behavior.
Tenders have been floated to NGOs for construction and management, with a target completion by late March. As Chennai residents continue to face risks from stray attacks, the urgency for swift implementation cannot be overstated. Will GCC meet its new deadlines, or will public safety remain compromised?