Concern over proliferation of street dog population persists in Coimbatore

concern over rise in street dog population in Coimbatore

The Coimbatore Corporation (CCMC) is stepping up efforts to control the street dog population amid appeals by residents to intensify the sterilisation process and return the animals to the same location from where they were caught.

The CCMC began operation of the renovated Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre in Ukkadam on July 7 and plans to open two more in its north and south zones at ₹50 lakh. Apart from this, ABCs in Ondipudur (east zone) and Seeranaickenpalayam (west zone) with two doctors each are run by NGOs.

Priya (26), a resident of Aavarampalayam said that the dogs in the area had delivered pups for the third time since September 2022.

“A few young ones are taken away by children in the locality. Some roam in the area, which is a menace, especially for motorists. Only very few die of starvation, as locals grow fond of the animals and feed the community dogs. Officials are yet to arrive in this area as of today [July 9] at noon,” she added.

The issue of street dogs was raised at the general council meeting held on June 30. Ward 48 councillor Prabha Ravindran’s suggestion for pregnant dogs received sharp criticism and a debate regarding street dogs sprung at the meeting.

Corporation Commissioner M. Prathap said that as per the Animal Welfare Board of India, pregnant animals cannot be captured. The capturing process is taking place as per schedule, details of which will be made public for the sake of clarity.

According to information from the Corporation, 414 dogs were caught between June 16 and June 30 and 319 were sterilised in the ABCs. “A total of 733 animals are with the Corporation as of now. Four months earlier, it was only 445,” the official in charge of the street dogs in the civic body said.