Chennai's Anti-Rabies Drive Leaves 35,000 Stray Dogs Unvaccinated Despite Official Claims
Months after Greater Chennai Corporation concluded its latest anti-rabies vaccination drive in December, a staggering 35,000 stray dogs continue to roam the city without vaccination. This represents approximately one in five of Chennai's estimated 183,000 stray dog population, leaving residents concerned despite official declarations of success.
Official Statistics vs. Ground Reality
The Greater Chennai Corporation reported vaccinating 1.4 lakh dogs between August and December, achieving what officials described as 85% coverage that exceeded World Health Organization benchmarks. According to WHO guidelines, vaccinating 70% of dogs creates "herd immunity" that prevents widespread rabies transmission, with vaccinated dogs protecting the unvaccinated population.
Dr. J Kamal Hussain, GCC veterinary officer, explained the challenges: "When the drive began in August, we targeted 1 lakh dogs, but eventually managed to cover over 85% of the population. While vaccinating dogs in enclosed spaces is feasible, it is practically impossible to vaccinate all free-roaming street dogs."
Comprehensive Health Protection Beyond Rabies
The vaccination campaign provided broader health benefits than just rabies prevention. The administered vaccines offered protection against four additional major canine diseases:
- Canine distemper
- Parvovirus
- Adenovirus
- Leptospirosis
Additionally, endectoparasiticides were administered to prevent tick infestations and other parasitic infections, creating a comprehensive health intervention for the city's stray dog population.
Scale and Implementation of the Campaign
This marked Chennai's first major vaccination drive in nearly five years since the 2020 campaign that vaccinated 68,000 dogs. The recent initiative targeted 1.8 lakh stray dogs with the ambitious goal of making Chennai rabies-free.
The corporation deployed 10 trained teams across the city, each expected to vaccinate at least 100 dogs daily, with an overall target of immunizing 3,000 dogs per day. Ambattur zone led the vaccination efforts with 18,634 dogs vaccinated, followed by Sholinganallur (14,995) and Valasaravakkam (12,744).
Residents Express Dissatisfaction with Implementation
Despite official statistics, residents have raised concerns about the campaign's effectiveness and follow-through. Rakesh V Agarwal, president of Perambur-based Arihant North Town Owners and Residents Welfare Association, voiced community frustration: "More than 50 dogs roam inside our apartment premises. After we raised a complaint with the mayor three months ago, only a handful of dogs were vaccinated. There was no follow-up action taken."
Agarwal added that residents are willing to bear food expenses if the corporation impounds unvaccinated dogs, highlighting the community's concern about public safety and animal welfare.
The Persistent Challenge of Urban Stray Dog Management
The gap between official vaccination statistics and the reality of 35,000 unvaccinated dogs underscores the complex challenge of managing urban stray populations. While the campaign achieved significant coverage, the remaining unvaccinated dogs represent a potential public health concern that requires ongoing attention and innovative solutions for comprehensive coverage.
