Chennai: Stray dog sterilisations in central Chennai have come under scrutiny after canines died following animal birth control (ABC) surgeries at a pound in Kannamapettai, T Nagar, in the past ten days. While animal lovers claim that more than half a dozen have died, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) officials claim two deaths.The civic body runs 13 ABC centres across the city. Last month, the Kannamapettai centre performed 625 surgeries. Activists have circulated graphic photos of dead animals with their intestines protruding after operations. They said blood was flowing inside the enclosure where the dogs were kept, blaming inexperienced veterinarians, poor suturing, and inadequate post-operative care. Dog lovers complained that civic staff have barred outsiders from entering the pound, making it impossible to verify conditions or monitor the animals’ recovery.Shravan Krishnan of Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary (BMAD) said that until Oct last year, BMAD and World Veterinary Service (WVS), India had been training GCC workers in handling dogs, preparing them for ABC surgeries, assisting veterinarians during operations and providing post-operative care. “After that, the civic body stopped us from training their workers,” he said.According to Shravan, animal welfare activists documented the irregularities at the pound and submitted their findings to the authorities concerned, but no action has been taken. He said the corporation was engaging inexperienced veterinarians to perform the surgeries, resulting in the deaths of strays brought in for sterilisation.Responding, GCC commissioner G S Sameeran said only two dogs that died in Oct after ABC surgery at Kannammapettai had tested positive for rabies. He said samples from the brains of the dead animals had been sent to Madras Veterinary College for analysis.“All ABC centres are equipped with attenders round the clock, and duty doctors give post-operative veterinary care. Only experienced veterinary doctors are deployed for surgeries,” Sameeran said. He added that if any deficiencies were found, GCC would take strict action and take steps to improve the facilities.Activists have demanded that independent observers be allowed access to the pound and that an inquiry be conducted into the deaths.
