Chennai has been witnessing a growing stray dog menace, with an increasing number of attacks and disturbances reported from various parts of the city. Residents from areas like Velachery, Perambur, T. Nagar, and Ambattur have raised concerns over the safety of pedestrians, children, and elderly citizens.
Several cases of dog bites have been reported in recent months. Ravi Kumar, a resident of Velachery, shared his ordeal: “My 8-year-old son was chased by a pack of dogs while returning from school. Thankfully, a passerby intervened, but it’s becoming unsafe for children to walk alone.”
Similarly, in T. Nagar, locals have complained that stray dogs roam in groups, particularly during the night, creating fear among residents. S. Janani, a working professional, stated: “It’s scary to walk back home after work. Some dogs get aggressive, especially near garbage dumps.”
Experts believe that poor waste disposal is one of the main reasons behind the increasing stray dog population. Uncollected garbage, particularly in areas like Perambur and Ambattur, provides an easy food source, leading to larger packs of stray dogs.
Animal welfare activists, however, stress the importance of sterilization and vaccination programs rather than culling. Dr. Ramesh Kumar, a veterinarian, emphasized: “Stray dogs are a part of the urban ecosystem. The solution is effective sterilization and proper waste management, not removal.”
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has acknowledged the issue and assured residents that Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs will be intensified. A senior GCC official said: “We are increasing sterilization efforts and improving garbage disposal to prevent the stray dog population from growing further.”