Relentless Campaign to Eradicate Nagercoil’s Stray Dog Challenge: Transforming Fear into Safety
Nagercoil Municipal Corporation is ramping up efforts to address the burgeoning problem of stray dog attacks in the city. A rise in incidents of dog bites, particularly from stray dogs, has been reported recently, with March alone seeing 250 cases at Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs). This situation poses a significant threat not only to pedestrians but also to motorists, especially during night-time when the danger escalates, leading to both minor and major road accidents.
Residents from various parts of Nagercoil, like Irulappapuram, Ramavarmapuram, and Thengamputhoor, have been notably impacted by this issue. Ramavarmapuram, a densely populated area with numerous schools and hospitals, is facing pronounced challenges. A local resident, Jenita, has expressed concerns about the practice of some people feeding stray dogs, stating, “People offering food to these dogs is one of the major causes for the menace. Two dogs quickly turn into a pack, and these groups often attack motorists and children riding bicycles.”
The influx of stray dogs is also problematic in Thengamputhoor, an area with significant foot traffic due to its local market, as Pavitra, another distressed resident, pointed out. She emphasized the rising number of stray dogs, which frequently leads to accidents around the market area.
In response, the Nagercoil Municipal Corporation, led by Commissioner Nishant Krishna, has teamed up with a non-governmental organization to roll out sterilization programs to manage the stray dog population. Krishna highlighted the ongoing efforts, mentioning the establishment of an animal birth control (ABC) centre in Thengamputhoor, launched the previous year. “We are closely monitoring the areas with a high density of stray dogs and giving them priority in our operations,” he remarked.
The Corporation’s health department also weighed in, revealing that besides the reported 250 bite cases in March 2025, 1,092 doses of Anti Rabies Vaccination (ARV) have been administered. An official affirmed that all UPHCs are well-stocked with ARVs and reported no rabies cases in the past three years. Furthermore, 97 stray dogs underwent sterilization in March as part of ongoing control measures.
The growing stray dog menace in Nagercoil underscores a pressing need for comprehensive strategies that combine immediate interventions like sterilization with long-term public education. The aim is to balance compassion for the animals with ensuring public safety, while community involvement remains crucial in mitigating these risks. As the Corporation continues to prioritize high-density areas in its operations, residents like Jenita and Pavitra hope for a noticeable improvement in safety and quality of life.
Published on April 11, 2025, this article covers the Nagercoil community’s response to the stray dog problem, traced to various socio-environmental factors, and outlines steps being taken by local authorities to resolve this challenge.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/efforts-intensified-to-tackle-stray-dog-menace-in-nagercoil/article69439577.ece
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Publish Date: 2025-04-11 19:51:00
