Chennai's Stray Dog Crisis Deepens as Corporation Misses Supreme Court Deadline
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has failed to comply with a Supreme Court mandate to remove stray dogs from public spaces, with the eight-week deadline now expired. Civic officials have admitted that the primary obstacle is a severe lack of space in authorized shelters, most of which are already operating at full capacity.
Financial Incentives Fail to Attract NGOs
In November 2025, the Supreme Court issued the eight-week directive to clear public areas of stray dogs. The GCC responded in December by announcing a feeding cost of ₹50 per dog per day and a maintenance fee of ₹750 per day for shelters housing more than 20 dogs. Despite these financial incentives, very few non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have come forward to accept the animals from public places.
"The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAB) provided a list of eight authorized NGOs, but all of them are facing space constraints," explained GCC veterinary officer J Kamal Hussain. "Discussions are under way with two organizations. Though talks are on with willing and registered NGOs on the city outskirts, many do not have space for more dogs."
Recent Relocation Efforts and Survey Delays
A recent operation saw 40 dogs removed from the Madras High Court premises. Of these, 21 were relocated to an NGO facility in Nemmeli, while the remaining animals were successfully adopted. The civic body had also pledged to conduct a comprehensive survey of the stray dog population in Chennai, but this initiative has not yet been implemented.
New Shelter Construction Plans
Following recommendations from the TNAB to separate rabies-suspected and aggressive dogs from the general population, the corporation has identified sites in Madhavaram and Velachery for constructing specialized shelters. Each facility is designed to accommodate 250 dogs, including those suspected of rabies, canine distemper, and displaying aggressive behavior.
The GCC has now decided to impound stray dogs removed from public spaces in accordance with the Supreme Court order. Tenders have been floated for NGOs to maintain these new shelters, with construction expected to be completed by the end of March.
"The facilities will be able to accommodate 500 dogs, including rabies-suspected and aggressive animals," added Kamal. "There will be open spaces and separate kennels, where infected and rabies-suspected dogs will be kept in individual enclosures."
Public Frustration and Safety Concerns
The delay in implementing the court order has sparked significant concern among Chennai residents regarding both compliance and the city's preparedness to handle stray dog relocation effectively.
"We raised multiple complaints to remove the increasing stray dog population inside government schools and Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) in Ernavoor, but it fell on deaf ears," stated B Niranjan Patnaik, president of the Kamarajar Nagar Residents' Welfare Association. "It became a threat to the public, and no response was taken despite the court order."
The situation highlights the complex challenges of balancing animal welfare with public safety, as administrative delays and infrastructure limitations continue to hinder Chennai's response to its stray dog population crisis.
