MADURAI: In response to the growing street dog population and rising dog bite cases, the Madurai Corporation is set to open a third Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre near Thangaraj Salai. An existing health facility opposite the corporation swimming pool will be converted into a sterilisation unit at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh.
The city’s recent stray dog census recorded 38,348 dogs within corporation limits. Currently, the two existing ABC centres at Sellur and Vellaikal conduct 20–30 surgeries per day under the 2023 Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) rules. About 4,000 dogs have been sterilised in 2024 so far, and with the addition of the third centre, officials aim to raise the number to 9,000 by year-end.
A senior health official stated, “Though small, the new unit will ease pressure on the current centres and help increase the sterilisation rate.” Tenders will be floated soon, and the civic body is exploring veterinary support from the animal husbandry department.
The corporation currently pays ₹1,650 per dog to a private agency—₹1,450 for sterilisation and ₹200 for dog-catching. However, there are only two dog-catching vehicles available. With councillors demanding more resources, a proposal to procure another vehicle is under review.
Dog bite cases have spiked from 3,986 in 2018 to 13,280 in 2023, prompting increased public and civic concern. Officials stressed that expanding ABC operations is essential to curb rabies and ensure public safety.