Trichy allocates Rs 1.6 crore for stray dog sterilisation drive

Trichy: Trichy Corporation has allocated Rs 1.6 crore for sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs across the city’s five zones as part of its ongoing animal birth control (ABC) programme. The civic body has planned to sterilise 10,000 stray dogs during the 2026-27 financial year to curb the growing canine population.

According to corporation officials, a stray dog survey conducted in February 2025 estimated the city’s street dog population at 43,767. Of these, 29,281 dogs had been sterilised as of March 2026 through ABC drives carried out at four centres across the city over the last three years, covering nearly 67% of the population.

The government has fixed the cost of sterilising a stray dog at Rs 1,650. Chennai-based International Trust of Peace NGO has been engaged to carry out the programme.

Meanwhile, residents from several neighbourhoods complained of a rise in stray dog menace in recent months. Areas including Vayalur Road, Khajamalai Racecourse Road, and Annamalai Nagar have reported frequent incidents of dogs chasing pedestrians.

“There is a sudden increase in stray dogs in residential areas around Kumaran Nagar and Bharathi Nagar on Vayalur Road. People are scared to walk during night hours as dogs often chase them,” said Mohammed Isham, a resident of Vayalur Road.

Officials attributed the increase to the influx of dogs from adjoining panchayat areas such as Malliyampathu, Mallachipuram, and Somarasampettai, particularly in wards bordering rural limits. They said more than 2,000 stray dogs have already been sterilised in the current financial year and five vehicles have been deployed to capture dogs in complaint-prone areas.

Mayor Mu Anbalagan said the corporation was also establishing four shelters for sick and abandoned dogs at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore.

“We are constructing four safe shelters to isolate sick dogs. The facilities are nearing completion, and some dogs can be permanently accommodated there, providing relief to the public,” he said after inspecting a shelter in Srirangam.