The Madras High Court has directed the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to formulate a concrete action plan to address the growing menace of stray dogs in the city, while ensuring that no cruelty is committed against the animals. Observing that the problem exists in every city, including Chennai, the first bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan stressed that effective measures must be taken to prevent attacks on people.The bench suggested the creation of an exclusive department within the corporation to handle stray dog-related issues, with the involvement of NGOs where necessary. It also summoned the Chief Veterinary Officer of Vepery to appear before the court on August 12 with relevant documents detailing the proposed action plan. The interim order came in response to a PIL filed by R.S. Tamilvendan, a resident of Kodambakkam, seeking regulation or a ban on stray dogs. The petitioner claimed that the animals, found on most roads, cause significant inconvenience to the public and that his June 10 representation to the authorities had gone unanswered. The court directed the officials concerned to prepare a time-bound strategy to address the issue.