Erode Corporation sterilises over 10,000 stray dogs; third phase under way

The Erode Corporation has sterilised, vaccinated, and released more than 10,000 stray dogs in the city under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, and has launched the next phase to cover an additional 5,000 animals.

Under Article 243 (W) of the Indian Constitution, civic bodies are responsible for controlling the stray dog population through sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination under the ABC programme. Although the scheme was first rolled out in 2010, it was discontinued soon after and had minimal impact. Stray dogs continue to pose a challenge across all 60 wards, with residents and motorists consistently urging the civic body to resume the initiative.

In 2023, a GPS-based survey conducted by the Corporation estimated the city’s stray dog population at about 27,000. In January 2024, Animal Helping Hands, an NGO, was engaged to carry out the programme at the ABC centre in Solar. The facility is equipped with two operation theatres, pre- and post-operative wards, and three transport vehicles. On average, about 1,200 dogs are sterilised each month. The NGO receives ₹1,650 per dog for capturing, sterilising, vaccinating against rabies, and returning the animal to its locality.

The first phase of the programme began on January 12, 2024, and concluded in November 2024. Of the planned 5,000 dogs, 4,998 were sterilised at a cost of ₹82.46 lakh. In the second phase, the target of 5,000 dogs was fully met, with an expenditure of ₹82.50 lakh.

City Health Officer M. Karthikeyan told The Hindu that as of September 1, 2025, a total of 10,403 dogs had been sterilised. The third phase of the initiative is currently in progress to cover another 5,000 dogs. The civic body has also recently approved a council resolution to allocate ₹82.50 lakh for the purpose.