In a significant move to address public safety and animal welfare, the Trichy City Corporation has officially marked 506 locations across the city as zones that must be kept free of stray dogs. This action aligns with a recent directive from the Supreme Court of India.
Comprehensive List of Protected Public Spaces
The identified sites encompass a wide range of public institutions where high human footfall necessitates a stray dog-free environment. The detailed breakdown includes 227 government offices and educational institutions, along with 271 government and private hospitals and clinics. Furthermore, major transit hubs have been included, with three bus stands and five railway stations also classified under this mandate.
A New Model for Permanent Shelter and Care
Departing from the standard Animal Birth Control (ABC) protocol, where sterilized dogs are returned to their original locations, the corporation has adopted a new strategy. Dogs removed from these 506 designated sites will not be released back, even after sterilization. Instead, they will be permanently relocated to newly constructed safe shelters.
The local body has finalized plans to build these specialized facilities in four key localities: Konakkarai, Ariyamangalam, Ponmalaipatti, and again in Ariyamangalam. These shelters will feature kennels designed to isolate sick and aggressive animals. In a move toward self-sufficiency, food for the housed canines will be prepared within the shelter premises.
Logistics, Timeline, and Current Sterilization Drive
To execute this large-scale operation, the corporation currently operates five dog-catching vehicles, one in each zone, and has stated readiness to purchase more if needed. Officials confirmed that contractors have been finalized for the shelter construction projects.
The corporation aims to commission all four shelter facilities within January, backed by a sanctioned fund of 1.2 crore rupees. This initiative runs parallel to the ongoing ABC program. To date, the civic body has successfully sterilized 29,972 stray dogs out of a total enumerated population of 43,767 within the city limits.
This two-pronged approach—creating dog-free public zones while establishing permanent shelters—represents a major shift in urban animal management in Trichy, aiming to balance community concerns with humane animal care under judicial oversight.
