Madurai to get third dog sterilisation centre

Madurai: In a move to strengthen its animal birth control (ABC) programme, the Madurai Corporation will soon open a third sterilisation centre in the city. An existing corporation health facility near Thangaraj Salai, opposite the corporation swimming pool, will be converted into a small sterilisation unit at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh.The decision follows a recent stray dog census that counted 38,348 street dogs within city limits. Currently, two ABC centres—at Sellur and Vellaikal—carry out sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) procedures, performing 20–30 surgeries daily as per Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) ABC Rules, 2023.In 2024, around 4,000 dogs were sterilised. With the new centre, the corporation aims to increase this to 5,000 by year-end. "Though the new facility will be small, it will help boost surgery numbers and ease the load on existing centres," a senior health official said. Tenders will be floated soon, and veterinary support from the animal husbandry department is also being considered.The civic body pays ₹1,650 per dog to a private agency for ABC operations—₹1,450 for the surgery and ₹200 for dog-catching, in line with AWBI guidelines.Rising stray dog numbers and an increase in dog bite cases have led to growing public and activist pressure to expand the ABC programme. Corporation data shows a jump in reported dog bite cases from 3,986 in 2018 to 13,280 in 2023.The issue has been frequently raised in council meetings, with councillors also calling for more dog-catching vehicles. The corporation currently operates only two. "A proposal to procure an additional vehicle has been sent for approval," the official added.Officials emphasised that expanding ABC infrastructure—along with increased veterinary and transport support—is vital to managing the stray dog population and addressing public health risks such as rabies. A rabies death was reported within city limits last year.Stray Dog Management– OverviewStray Dog Population: 38,348 (as per recent census)Existing ABC Centres: 2 (Sellur and Vellaikal)Surgeries Performed Daily: 20–30 across both centresTotal ABC Surgeries in 2024 (So Far): Around 4,000Target for 2024: 9,000 surgeriesCost per Dog (ABC Programme): ₹1,650Surgery: ₹1,450Dog Catching: ₹200Dog-Catching Vehicles: 2Proposed New ABC Centre: Near Thangaraj SalaiEstimated Cost: ₹50 lakhMSID:: 122131280 413 |