A recent survey by the Coimbatore Corporation has estimated the stray dog population in the city at 1,11,000.The survey follows several complaints regarding inadequate sterilisation efforts and concerns over the rising number of strays.The Corporation currently operates four Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres at Seeranaickenpalayam, Ondipudhur, Pullukadu, and the newly inaugurated facility at Vellalore. These centres are managed by non-governmental organisations, including the Humane Animal Society, Pari Mithran, and ASRA.However, concerns have been raised over the efficiency of sterilisation efforts. During the last council meeting, Coimbatore MP Ganapathy P. Rajkumar criticised the Corporation for the lack of proper monitoring. He alleged that the NGOs responsible for ABC procedures were not performing sterilisation effectively and questioned whether a monitoring committee had been set up to oversee their operations. He also claimed that the procedure was largely being carried out on male dogs, as it is quicker and easier compared to female dogs.
Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said that regular inspections were being conducted at the centres and that committee meetings were held periodically. He also stated that the Corporation was in the process of identifying land for a new ABC centre in the North Zone. At present, around 1,500 dogs are sterilised every month, and an additional facility would help increase this number.
According to the Corporation’s data, 9,689 dogs have been sterilised in the current fiscal year, which is higher than the 7,603 procedures conducted in 2023-24.
Apart from stray dogs, the Corporation has also taken action against stray cattle and other animals found roaming in the city. In 2023, a total of 98 stray cattle and two goats were captured, with fines amounting to ?9.81 lakh were collected.
In 2024, 151 cattle, 26 goats, and two horses were captured, and fines totalling ?3.54 lakh were collected. Between January and February 16, 2025, 19 cattle, four goats, and 10 pigs were captured, with fines amounting to ?37,200 levied. The collected fines have been credited to the Corporation’s account.