CHENNAI: The Delhi High Court’s recent directive to move all street dogs into designated shelters has reignited a long-standing debate on managing stray populations, a conversation that holds particular relevance for Tamil Nadu, where concerns over rising dog numbers and human-animal conflict are mounting.
According to the Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) latest data, Chennai’s street dog population has surged to 1.8 lakh in 2024, a steep jump from 57,366 in 2021. This figure comes from a sight survey conducted by the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) earlier this year. The same report highlights that sterilisation rates among adult street dogs remain worryingly low, with less than half of the population covered.
Statewide, the Animal Husbandry Department estimates Tamil Nadu’s street dog population to be over 6 lakh. In Chennai alone, the Corporation’s Health Department recorded more than 7,000 dog bite cases in 2023, a figure experts say underlines the urgency of effective intervention.
Currently, Tamil Nadu follows the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, which focuses on sterilisation and vaccination to control street dog numbers. However, civic officials admit that coverage remains below 50% in many districts due to inadequate infrastructure, limited trained personnel, and irregular funding.
Animal rights activists warn that without scaling up sterilisation drives, the state could face a situation similar to Delhi’s. “We need greater sterilisation efforts in Tamil Nadu to prevent what happened in Delhi,” says Usha Kamath, a Chennai-based animal welfare advocate. “A shelter-only approach can strain resources, cause welfare issues, and may not be sustainable in the long run.”
The Delhi ruling has divided opinion nationwide. While some view shelters as a humane step, others argue it risks overcrowding facilities and removing dogs from their familiar territories, which can de-stabilise local ecosystems.
Urban planners and public health experts suggest Tamil Nadu should use the Delhi case as a trigger to review its policies, balancing public safety, animal welfare, and environmental concerns.
