CHENNAI: Chennai’s stray dog population has surged, reaching to around 1.8 lakh in 2024, from 57,336 in 2018, according to a recent survey conducted by the Chennai Corporation, Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB), and Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS). The survey reveals that only 27% of the city’s stray dogs have undergone sterilisation, leaving the remaining 73% reproductively active, which raises concerns about further population growth.
The data shows a stark disparity in sterilisation rates across the city’s 15 zones, largely due to uneven distribution of animal birth control (ABC) centres. Zones 12 and 13, which have higher access to these centres, recorded fewer stray dogs, with only 985 and 2,158 dogs, respectively. In contrast, northern zones, particularly zones 7, 3, and 4, have significantly lower sterilisation rates, leading to a higher concentration of stray dogs. Zone 7 alone has the highest stray dog count at 5,625, underscoring the need for greater focus on animal birth control in these areas.
Karlette Anne Fernandes, director of WVS DogPop Taskforce, warned that without focused ABC efforts in the north zones, the dog population will continue to increase exponentially. “As female dogs are able to breed up to 12 puppies in six months, the numbers could spike if preventive measures are not properly implemented,” she said. The survey also indicated that 18% of female dogs were observed to be lactating, further contributing to the rapid breeding cycle.
Interestingly, the report established a correlation between effective sterilisation programmes and reduced public complaints related to stray dogs. In areas where sterilisation efforts were successful, the public grievance redressal (PGR) system reported fewer dog-related complaints, highlighting the need for the corporation to scale up sterilisation drives.
Additionally, the survey shed light on the health conditions of the stray dogs in the city, with 95% of the dogs examined showing various health issues. Among these, 66% were found with wounds, 24% were lame, and 6% suffered from transmissible venereal tumours, further stressing the need for medical intervention alongside sterilisation efforts.
The corporation had earlier announced that it would increase the number of ABC procedures from an average of 15,000 to 50,000 annually. However, the report urged the corporation to prioritise regions with low sterilisation rates and high stray dog populations. “Establishing new ABC centres in these zones and implementing targeted programmes for lactating female dogs were recommended as key strategies to curtail the breeding rate and bring the population under control,” said Karlette.
With 82% of the surveyed dogs being adults, and 18% under 11 months, the report warned that unchecked rise in the stray dog population could lead to more public grievances and health risks.A total of 86 people including college students, veterinary doctors, and corporation staff were involved in the survey.
Survey at a glance
Stray dog population
2024 - 1.8 lakh
2018 - 57,336
5.6K Zone 7 has the highest no. of stray dogs
Zones 12 and 13, which have better access to ABC centres, recorded fewer stray dogs, 985 and 2,158 dogs, respectively