TN BJP leader urges CM Stalin to address rising stray dog menace
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Chennai: Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad has urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to take urgent measures to address what he termed an “escalating stray dog crisis” in the state.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Prasad said increasing dog-bite cases and rabies-related deaths have caused widespread fear, particularly among children and the elderly. He cited Supreme Court guidelines issued on August 11, which directed states to sterilize and vaccinate stray dogs before releasing them, shelter rabid or aggressive ones, and designate specific feeding zones instead of allowing feeding in public spaces.
Prasad alleged that Tamil Nadu has failed to effectively implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) and anti-rabies programs launched in 2010-11. He pointed out that rabies deaths rose from 18 in 2023 to 43 in 2024, and that the first months of 2025 had already seen 1.24 lakh dog-bite cases. He also accused municipal bodies of neglecting sterilization drives and population surveys, while government hospitals faced shortages of anti-rabies vaccines and trained staff.
Calling for immediate intervention, the BJP leader urged the Chief Minister to set up a high-level task force with officials from the Home, Health, and Municipal Administration departments, alongside Collectors and Corporation Commissioners, to prepare a time-bound action plan. He further sought district-level committees to lead awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of sterilization and vaccination, and regular surveys of stray dog populations.
Prasad highlighted that India records over 20,000 rabies deaths annually and warned that Tamil Nadu cannot afford further delays. “The rising tide of dog bite incidents, amplified by viral videos, has sparked fear and outrage. The state’s inaction has perpetuated preventable suffering, and further delays are unacceptable,” he wrote.
He also demanded that government hospitals be adequately stocked with vaccines and provide free treatment for dog-bite victims, so families are not forced to turn to costly private hospitals. Copies of his letter were sent to the Home, Health, and Municipal Administration Secretaries.