Madurai Corporation Intensifies Stray Dog Control Measures Across the City
In response to growing concerns from residents, the Madurai Corporation has significantly ramped up its efforts to address the persistent issue of stray dogs throughout the city. Aggressive strays have been reported chasing pedestrians and commuters, leading to widespread panic and, in several instances, serious accidents. According to official data from the civic body, an average of 25 complaints regarding stray dog attacks are received daily, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Residents Share Harrowing Experiences of Dog Attacks
Local residents have voiced their distress over the escalating menace. Subramaniam, a resident of Matthuthavani, recounted multiple personal encounters with aggressive strays. "Dogs often chase two-wheelers, causing riders to lose balance and fall out of fear. I have been attacked by stray dogs on several occasions myself," he explained. He further noted that stray dogs frequently enter apartment complexes, prompting the employment of additional security guards specifically to manage this issue.
Another resident, Arun, who works as a security guard in Anna Nagar, shared a traumatic incident. "While commuting to work, a stray dog suddenly jumped in front of my bike, forcing me to swerve and fall. I suffered a fractured hand and was unable to work for months," he said. Arun added that many of his friends have also faced similar attacks, underscoring the widespread nature of the problem.
Corporation's Enhanced Strategy: New Vehicles and Sterilisation
To combat the stray dog menace effectively, the Madurai Corporation has recently initiated a tender to acquire two additional vehicles equipped with stainless steel cabins. These vehicles are designed specifically for capturing stray dogs and transporting them to shelters located in Sellur, Vellakal, and Tallakulam. With this acquisition, the civic body will have a total of six such vehicles dedicated to this purpose.
A senior corporation official detailed the operational plan: "Each zone in the city will be assigned a dog-catching vehicle, with the sixth serving as a backup. Our teams capture between four to six dogs daily. Upon capture, the dogs are vaccinated, sterilised, and tagged before being released back into their areas."
The official elaborated on the sterilisation process: "Male dogs are held in shelters for up to a week, during which they undergo sterilisation surgery along with comprehensive pre- and post-operative care. They also receive rabies vaccinations. Female dogs are kept for an additional day. These surgical procedures are crucial as they help reduce the stray dog population over time, thereby minimising the risk to public safety."
Ensuring Animal Welfare and Expanding Shelter Capacity
Addressing concerns about the well-being of the captured dogs, the official assured that all animals are properly cared for in the shelters. "The dogs are provided with adequate food and medical attention during their stay. To further alleviate strain on existing facilities, we are constructing an additional shelter at Vellakal, which will have the capacity to accommodate up to 100 dogs," the official added.
This multi-faceted approach by the Madurai Corporation aims not only to enhance public safety but also to ensure humane treatment of the stray dog population through systematic sterilisation and improved shelter management.
