Chennai, August 11(BPNS)

The Greater Chennai Corporation is planning to sterilise around 80,000 stray dogs in a period of 2.5 years. The civic body is planning to revamp its buildings and other facilities at Kannamapettai and Pulianthope to conduct 100 sterilisation surgeries a day. This rapid move is to achieve the target of sterilising 70% of the stray dogs, which would be around 80,000 dogs, in a period of 2.5 years. Presently the sterilization rate is only 20%.

Interestingly Chennai Corporation is the only civic body in the country to have a separate crematorium for stray dogs at Kannamapettai.

The civic body is also revamping its facility at Lloyds colony other than the two facilities at Kannamapettai and Pulianthope. The corporation has allocated an amount of Rs 10 crore for the revamp of the three shelters for stray dogs. The designs have been finalized and according to Veterinary officials of the Greater Chennai Corporation, work would commence in a month.

Presently the Lloyds colony structure for stray dogs is dilapidated and of only 550 sq m in area. This facility, according to Greater Chennai Corporation officials would be demolished and a well-equipped facility with a pre-surgery room, post –operative room, well-ventilated surgery rooms, separate kennels for 100-150 dogs, trolleys to move the dogs and kitchen and dining spaces for the staff would be in the new facility which is coming up.

Member of Legislative Assembly and son of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Udayanidhi Stalin who is also the youth wing leader of the DMK, and his wife Kirutiga Udayanidhi would be monitoring the revamp of the stray dog shelters and hence the dog lovers and veterinarians are expecting the facilities to be completed in a period of eight months.

The stray dogs that are picked up from the streets will be attached with a GPS tag and a photo of the stray would be uploaded. A microchip the size of a rice grain would also be implanted on the stray dog.