The Greater Chennai Corporation is undertaking extensive measures to control the stray dog population and regulate pet ownership, in line with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023.
Grievance and Tracking
Residents can report issues related to stray dogs by calling the helpline 1913 or via WhatsApp at 94450 61913. The Corporation has 23 dog-catching vehicles and trained personnel to manage the process. To ensure proper release, dogs are fitted with QR code collars and microchips. So far, 12,255 stray dogs have been fitted with these tracking devices.
Sterilisation and Vaccination Efforts
The Corporation operates five Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres in Pulianthope, Lloyds Colony, Kannammapettai, Meenambakkam, and Sholinganallur. On average, 115 stray dogs are sterilised daily. From 2021 to Sept.15, 2025, a total of 1,34,674 dogs (88,439 strays and 46,235 pets) have been vaccinated against rabies.
A survey conducted in 2024 estimated the city’s stray dog population to be around 1,80,000. To control this growth, the Corporation is focusing on sterilising female dogs. Additionally, 10 new ABC centres are being established across the city to increase the sterilisation capacity.
Regulating Pet Ownership
Under the Urban Local Bodies Act of 1998 and 2023, it is mandatory for all pet owners in Chennai to obtain a license. This can be done easily online or via WhatsApp at 94450 61913 for a nominal fee of ₹50. Owners must submit a photo, address proof, pet photo, and a valid anti-rabies vaccination certificate. A recent mandate also requires all pets to be microchipped at the time of licensing. This helps prevent rabies and the abandonment of pets.
Supreme Court Guidelines
In an interim order dated August 22, 2025, the Supreme Court has mandated that dogs with confirmed or suspected rabies, as well as aggressive dogs, must be caught and placed in special shelters for treatment. They are not to be released under any circumstances. All other stray dogs must be sterilised, vaccinated, and returned to their original location.
Furthermore, the court has directed local bodies to designate a specific area in each ward for feeding stray dogs and to place a sign indicating this. Feeding dogs in any other location is prohibited, and legal action can be taken against those who violate this rule. The Corporation is already in the process of identifying land on the city’s outskirts to build a shelter for 500 dogs.
Advisory from the Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine
The Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine has stated that out of 3.5 lakhs dog bites reported in the state, 22 people have died of rabies. All the primary health centres and hospitals are equipped with the required vaccines and injections for any bites. The Department also requested the public not to provoke the dogs. In the event of a bite, the wound must be washed with clean running water, and the person should be taken to the hospital for further medical attention.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
To control the breeding of stray dogs, the Animal Birth Control Rules-2023 (ABC Rules 2023, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying – Government of India Notification dated 10.03.2023) have been issued under Section 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Accordingly:
- After sterilising stray dogs, they should be maintained at the Animal Birth Control centre for 5 days, administered an anti-rabies vaccine, and then released back into the same place they were caught.
- Stray dogs should be caught humanely using only nets and hands.
- Lactating dogs and puppies under six months of age should not be subjected to sterilisation surgery.
- There is no provision in the law for culling stray dogs.
- Only sick, dying, and injured dogs can be euthanised with the recommendation of doctors appointed by the monitoring committee.
- It is a crime to injure or kill any animal, including stray dogs, by injecting poison (Strychnine) or by other cruel methods.
- Furthermore, according to Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS Act-2023), “whoever causes harm or damage to any animal by killing, poisoning, maiming, or making it useless shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 5 years, or with fine, or with both.”
