The Trichy Corporation has launched an ambitious plan to implement the Supreme Court's directive to remove stray dogs from public spaces across the city. The civic body has allocated a substantial budget and identified specific locations to address the long-standing issue of stray dog management.
Four Shelter Locations Finalized
During the monthly council meeting held on Friday, Mayor Mu Anbalagan revealed that Rs 1.2 crore has been allocated for developing specialized shelters for aggressive, aged, and sick stray dogs. The corporation has finalized four strategic locations for these facilities, with Rs 30 lakh designated for each site.
The selected locations include Konakkarai in Woraiyur, Ariyamangalam, Ponmalaipatti, and Ambedkar Nagar in Srirangam. Each shelter will be equipped with comprehensive facilities including kennels, quarantine units, and dedicated kitchens to ensure proper care for the animals.
Implementation Timeline and Strategy
Mayor Anbalagan confidently announced that the safe shelters for dogs will be ready by December. The corporation is currently awaiting standard operating procedures from the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration to formally roll out the Supreme Court order across the city.
City Health Officer Dr. Subash Gandhi assured residents that the shelters are situated in isolated locations away from residential areas, ensuring that large concentrations of dogs won't disturb the public. The existing fleet of five dog-catching vehicles, primarily used for sterilization operations at the four Animal Birth Control centers, will initially handle the transportation of sick and aggressive dogs to the new facilities.
Addressing Broader Challenges
While the corporation claims that 70% of stray dogs have been sterilized as of November, council members expressed concerns about the continuing severity of the problem in peripheral wards. Congress councillor L Rex from Ward 39 reported unusual behavior where stray dogs have begun attacking stray pigs in vacant areas.
CPI councillor K Suresh highlighted a significant challenge: neighboring panchayats and local bodies haven't strengthened their sterilization efforts, allowing unsterilized dogs to migrate into the city limits. In response to this issue, Mayor Anbalagan revealed that the corporation has begun supporting ABC operations in nearby local bodies, including Lalgudi municipality.
An official explained that other local bodies can utilize Trichy's ABC facilities by paying for sterilization and transportation of stray dogs from their areas. The cost for sterilization through NGOs has been fixed at Rs 1,680 per dog, and rural bodies bordering the city are being encouraged to participate in this collaborative effort.
Once the guidelines are received and implemented, stray dogs will be systematically removed from key public spaces including the Trichy Railway Junction, Trichy International Airport, major bus stands, and educational institutions throughout the city.
