Stray Dog Menace on the Rise: Thirumangalam Residents Demand ABC Centre

Residents of Thirumangalam and neighboring panchayats in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district are raising serious concerns over the increasing number of stray dog attacks in their communities. With thousands of residents already affected this year, local leaders and citizens are urging the municipality and the state government to set up a dedicated Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre to address the crisis.

Alarming Numbers Spark Concern

According to data from Thirumangalam Municipality, 2,787 people have been administered anti-rabies vaccines (ARV) since January 2025 due to stray dog bites. The monthly figures highlight a persistent threat:

• January – 362 cases

• February – 377 cases

• March – 386 cases

• April – 499 cases

• May – 473 cases

• June – 348 cases

• July – 342 cases

For comparison, the total number of ARV doses administered in 2024 stood at 4,128, indicating that the problem is growing steadily in 2025.

Panchayats Struggling Without Support

Villages located just outside Thirumangalam municipality, such as Melakottai and Alampatti, are also suffering but lack the resources to deal with the issue effectively.

“Stray attack cases are increasing but we don’t have dog-catching equipment or workers,”
— Gopinath, former Melakottai panchayat president.

“The lack of equipment has been hindering us from carrying out ABC procedures,”
— T Murugesan, former Alampatti panchayat president.

Both leaders have requested help from the Thirumangalam municipality but say the response has been limited.

Municipality Responds with Proposal

Ashok Kumar, Thirumangalam Municipal Commissioner, acknowledged the severity of the situation:

“We are also facing multiple dog attack incidents and hence are unable to help others. We have sent a proposal to the government to establish an ABC centre. We have land in Kariapatti, and the proposal is likely to be accepted.”

Municipal health officials say efforts have been ongoing, with hundreds of dogs caught and vaccinated:

• In February 2025, 96 dogs were captured.

• Between June 9 and 13, 347 dogs were caught and administered anti-rabies shots.

Despite these efforts, residents remain worried and want sterilization and long-term control measures in place, not just vaccination.

Why an ABC Centre is Crucial

The Animal Birth Control (ABC) program is a scientifically approved and humane method to manage stray dog populations. It involves:

• Sterilization to prevent reproduction

• Anti-rabies vaccination to prevent disease transmission

• Tagging to track sterilized animals

Without a dedicated centre, local authorities cannot sustain these operations. The Kariapatti land proposal, if approved, could provide the infrastructure needed for consistent ABC operations and bring relief to both the urban and rural areas of Thirumangalam.

Final Thoughts

With stray dog attacks continuing to rise, the demand for an ABC centre in Thirumangalam is not just a request — it’s a public health necessity. Residents, especially in surrounding panchayats, are looking to the government to act swiftly and provide the tools needed to manage the crisis humanely and effectively.

As the proposal awaits approval, communities remain hopeful that timely intervention will help control the stray population and prevent further incidents.