The Tamil Nadu government’s handling of the growing stray dog issue is once again facing criticism, despite an annual allocation of ₹20 crore for the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program aligned with the 2023 national ABC Rules the on-ground results have fallen short of expectations, raising concerns about efficiency and accountability.
While the ABC program is overseen at the state level, its actual implementation lies with local bodies such as the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and other municipalities. The urgency around the issue has grown in light of increasing dog bite incidents over 1.24 lakh cases reported in 2025 so far and a reported 34 rabies-related deaths in 2024. Current estimates suggest there are around 4.4 lakh stray dogs across Tamil Nadu, with Chennai alone accounting for nearly 1.8 lakh.
Budget Allocations Over the Years
2022–23: ₹20 crore was earmarked specifically for animal welfare efforts, focusing on sterilization procedures, anti-rabies vaccinations, and the creation of ABC centers.
2024–25: The allocation remained unchanged at ₹20 crore. During the budget session on 19 February 2024, authorities acknowledged the low sterilization rate in Chennai just 27% and announced plans to scale up the program.
2025–26: Again, ₹20 crore was allocated, with more ambitious targets. The number of ABC centers is set to increase from 18 to 100 statewide, including 10 new centers in Chennai aimed at boosting monthly sterilizations from 20,000 to 50,000. Other measures include mandatory microchipping of pet dogs (approved in January 2025) and fitting stray dogs with QR-coded collars (rolled out in November 2024).
These funds are distributed through the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) and the Animal Husbandry Department, with municipal corporations like GCC responsible for execution. Despite Tamil Nadu’s ₹4.12 lakh crore overall budget for 2024–25, the funds for animal welfare form a small, targeted portion, with no clear line-item in the agriculture or general expenditure sections.
Fund Usage: Where Did the Money Go?
While the ₹20 crore has been directed toward operating the ABC program, its execution has been widely criticized for inefficiency, low effectiveness, and bureaucratic delays. Despite the financial commitment, the actual impact has been minimal, with government agencies failing to actively share data or demonstrate results.
Sterilization and Vaccination Efforts: Chennai’s ABC centers (e.g., Pulianthope, Kannammapettai, Meenambakkam) utilized funds to capture, sterilize, and vaccinate strays:
Other cities like Coimbatore, Vellore, Erode, and Madurai also ran similar operations, often in collaboration with NGOs. For example, in Coimbatore, while ₹1,650 was allotted per sterilization, local authorities only released ₹700 per dog, causing delays.
Infrastructure Development: Funds were used to run 18 ABC centers (as of Jan 2025) and purchase dog-catching vehicles. Chennai had 23 vans in use, with 9 more in the pipeline. Experimental non-surgical sterilization techniques were also funded, in partnership with TANUVAS and a U.S.-based institution.
Surveys and Monitoring: Budget allocations supported population surveys (e.g., Chennai’s 2024 survey conducted with Worldwide Veterinary Services) and rabies awareness drives. Following 34 rabies-related deaths in 2024, vaccination campaigns were expanded.
Human Resources and Logistics: Salaries for dog catchers, veterinarians, and support staff were part of the expenditure. Equipment like nets and transport vehicles were also procured.
Despite consistent funding since 2022, the program has delivered limited outcomes
Rising Population: Congress MP Karti Chidambaram criticized the sharp increase in Chennai’s stray dog count from 58,000 in 2018 to over 1.8 lakh in 2024 blaming poor local implementation. Only 27% of the population had been sterilized by early 2025.
Funding Issues in Coimbatore: Coimbatore’s city corporation came under fire for mismanagement and underpayment to NGOs. Of ₹1,650 allocated per dog, only ₹700 was released from July 2023 onward, halting sterilizations. Reports indicate 27,000 dog bites were treated at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital in 2023 alone.
Poor Monitoring Elsewhere: Regular surveys are only conducted in a few cities, while others lack proper data. Cities like Madurai reported over 14,130 dog bite incidents in 2024, raising questions about effective fund usage. Public backlash and legal pressure, including observations by the Madras High Court in August 2025, prompted calls for improved shelter infrastructure.
While there is no large-scale evidence of embezzlement or corruption in Tamil Nadu, mismanagement, funding delays, and red tape have severely hampered progress. Many NGOs have been left underfunded, and sterilization targets continue to be missed.
In response to a Supreme Court directive for Delhi-NCR, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Municipal Administration, KN Nehru, announced plans for new shelters, despite opposition from animal welfare activists who argue it violates ABC Rules 2023 (which prohibit permanent removal of strays). In May 2025, CM MK Stalin ordered a statewide census, mandatory microchipping, and enhanced ABC infrastructure as part of a renewed effort to tackle the issue. But it remains only on paper.
Despite allocating ₹20 crore annually since 2022 for stray dog control, Tamil Nadu’s local bodies have struggled to implement the ABC program effectively. While the funds have supported sterilizations (over 46,000 in Chennai between 2022–2024), infrastructure, and vaccinations, the persistent rise in stray populations and bite incidents indicates a serious gap between policy and practice.
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