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Chennai, Nov 9 (IANS) The recent Supreme Court directive ordering removal of stray dogs from public places like hospitals, colleges, bus depots and railway stations within eight weeks has put immense pressure on civic authorities.
The order said sterilized animals should be taken to designated shelters, along with cordoning off of the premises and nodal officers will ensure that they do not return to these areas.
However, municipal officials said the deadline is unrealistic due to inadequate infrastructure and funding.
For example, Chennai currently lacks dedicated shelters for stray dogs. The plan to build six shelters in collaboration with the State Animal Welfare Board is still in the initial stages and may take several months to complete.
Ten new animal birth control centers are expected to be ready by December alone, while two special facilities for rabies-affected and aggressive dogs are being planned in Perungudi and Madhavaram.
Officials say that although sterilization and vaccination drives are underway, no funds have been sanctioned for housing or long-term care of the captured dogs.
It seems almost impossible to relocate thousands of people loitering on the city streets in a short period of time.
Public institutions have started looking for temporary solutions. Major government hospitals in Chennai, including Egmore and Kilpauk, are considering physical barriers to prevent the entry of dogs.
Officials said the open perimeter and multiple entry points with movement of more than a thousand people per day make enforcement a major challenge.
Some hospitals are considering trench gates or bollards as preventive measures. The problem is even more serious at busy transport hubs.
At Chennai Central Railway Station, stray dogs roam on the platforms, often accompanied by homeless persons who sleep on the site.
The problem is further compounded by overflowing dustbins and wastage of food.
Similarly, at the Koyambedu bus terminal, packs of dogs chase passengers and vehicles, with reports of aggressive behavior near some platforms.
Animal welfare organizations expressed concern that transferring street dogs to shelters could lead to overcrowding and poor conditions.
They argue that it is better to leave sterilized and vaccinated dogs in their familiar environments, as forced relocation could disrupt their social structure and create new challenges elsewhere.
–IANS
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