Residents in parts of north Chennai struggle as stray dog menace grows

Growing stray dog menace in Chennai's northern areas prompts concerns, with residents facing safety issues and urging action.

At half past midnight, at least 29 stray dogs, including three puppies were spotted along a less than a kilometre-long stretch in Choolai. Nearly six kilometres away, residents of areas in and around Kodungaiyur pinpoint to the growing stray dog menace with the dump yard turning into a feeding area for the animals.

Many residential localities in and around the northern part of the city are reeling under stray dog menace.

Ganesan Perumal, a resident of Krishnamoorthy Nagar, Kodungaiyur, said there were several stray dogs in residential localities near the Kodungaiyur dumping yard, including Ezhil Nagar, R.R. Nagar, Krishnamoorthy Nagar and K.K.D. Nagar.

“Recently, a stray dog chased two women and a baby travelling on a two-wheeler. They tried to speed up but the vehicle skidded and they fell down. Fortunately, they escaped unhurt. No action is being taken to control the menace here. The Kodungaiyur dumping yard has turned into a feeding ground for stray dogs. There are at least five to six animals on our street during the day, and 15 to 20 at night. These animals have made it difficult for people to walk on the road,” he said.

Kumar, a resident of Choolai, said that almost every midnight, a resident feeds stray dogs in and around T.K. Mudali Street as a result of which at least 10 to 20 dogs from neighbouring streets wandered around, making it difficult for motorists returning home after work at late night hours.

A resident of Perambur said stray dogs were spotted on many streets in and around Jamalia Nagar, Hyder Garden and SBI Officers Colony after 11 p.m. “There are packs of stray dogs in almost every street in our locality at night. The animals chase people walking on the stretch or those returning home in two-wheelers. Each pack contains at least six dogs,” he said.