Civic bodies especially Corporations and municipalities in Vellore, Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai districts have expedited mass vaccination, sterilisation of community dogs to ensure safety of residents especially senior citizens and children.

The drive comes in the wake of a three-year-old baby boy N. Rithvik was reportedly attacked by a group of community dogs while he was playing in front of the house in Vaniyambadi town in Tirupattur district a few days ago.

The CCTV footage of the incident went viral in social media, inviting public outcry. “Vaccination and sterilization of community dogs will help to steadily reduce its number in the area. Children with parents can spend time outside houses with fewer dogs around,” said K. Vanitha, a resident. 

In association with the Department of Animal Husbandry, which executed the work along with Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board and NGOs, major local bodies like Vellore and Tiruvannamalai Corporations were conducting mass vaccination, sterilisation every Saturday since a month ago. “As deadline for vaccination for foot and mouth disease (FMD) for cows nears (August 1), veterinarians are roped to handle these two drives (vaccination of community dogs) simultaneously,” G. Anduvan, Joint Director (JD) In-charge, Department of Animal Husbandry (Vellore), told The Hindu.

Of total 45,829 community dogs in the district, Vellore Corporation has the highest number of 27,102 dogs, followed by Pernambut town (2,188 dogs) and Gudiyatham town (1,973 dogs). In terms of vaccination, 15,641 dogs including 7,496 dogs in Corporation have been covered till July 25. 

Neighbouring temple town of Tiruvannamalai also witnessing incidence of stray dog menace as a large number of devotees visit the town for worship at Arunachaleswar temple. Every day, on an average, 1.5 lakh visitors come to the town for worship.

Of total 5,175 dogs, Tiruvannamalai Corporation has vaccinated over 4,000 dogs till Saturday (July 25). The civic body also constructs a full-fledged Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre, first in the town, at a cost of Rs 64 lakh for sterilization of community dogs. “Community dogs near educational institutions and hospitals are given priority for vaccination due to movement of students and patients. The new ABC centre will also be opened soon,” said K. Balasubramanian, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation.

In Ranipet, around 12,000 dogs were identified in major towns like Sholinghur, Ranipet, Walajah, Arcot, Arakkonam and Melvisharam. Among towns, Ranipet has the highest number of 5,787 dogs in the district. More than 60% of dogs are vaccinated in the district.