Karti Chidambaram criticizes Chennai's low dog sterilization rates

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has expressed strong criticism of the Greater Chennai Corporation for not effectively managing the street dog population in the city. He highlighted that, according to his information, the stray dog count has soared to over 180,000, with only 27% having been sterilized. This situation raises significant health and safety concerns for residents. In a letter to Chennai's Mayor R. Priya, shared on social media, Chidambaram pointed out that the Tamil Nadu government allocated ₹20 crore for animal welfare in the 2022-23 budget. However, he argued that there has been little improvement in controlling the street dog population, even though the same amount is set aside in the upcoming budget for the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program. He stressed the need for effective local implementation to see real progress. Chidambaram's statements are based on a survey showing a dramatic increase in the street dog population, up from 58,000 in 2018. He called for urgent and decisive action, urging the corporation to prioritize sterilization, especially in high-density areas, and to ensure accountability for the program's execution. The MP noted wide variations in sterilization rates among Chennai's 200 wards, with some areas reporting as low as 2% sterilization. He explained that this inconsistency contributes to higher dog-related complaints in zones with lower sterilization rates. In response, Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran announced that five Animal Birth Control centers are currently operational, with ten more being developed. He assured the public that these new centers will be ready within three to four months.