Chief Minister MK Stalin virtually inaugurated a special veterinary complex at Kaniyanoor village near Arcot town in Ranipet on Thursday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Chief Minister MK Stalin virtually inaugurated a special veterinary complex at Kaniyanoor village near Arcot town in Ranipet on Thursday. The area is equipped to facilitate the sterilization and vaccination of community dogs in the district.
Officials of the Department of Animal Husbandry, which carried out the work along with the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board, said the new facility was the first of its kind in the state for community dogs, especially in villages and small towns. “Sterilization operations will be carried out in the complex. It will also provide accommodation and food for community dogs in the post-operation period,” J. Prasanna, Joint Director (JD), Animal Husbandry Department, told The Hindu.
Collector JU Chandrakala, accompanied by senior vets, inspected the facility built at a cost of ₹ 12 lakh under general funds. “Now residents can report the number of community dogs in the area that need sterilization and vaccination at the new complex. Priority should be given to dogs in villages where there is less awareness about animal birth control practices,” said K. Pandurangan, a resident.
The new facility, spread over four hectares, has a clinical laboratory, a special diagnostic room, a surgical theatre, a waiting room, medical equipment storage, a chemical analysis unit, cabins for livestock inspectors, doctors and other staff and a vaccination room. It will operate every day, including Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with at least two doctors and four nurses.
The district currently has over 25,000 community dogs and 3,860 pets. Veterinary hospitals in Walajah and Kaveripakkam are currently implementing sterilization and vaccination of community dogs in the district. The two hospitals deal with an average of 25-30 cases a day. Around 5-7 cases of dog bites are reported in the district every month. According to officials, the new facility would help bridge the gap in the ABC process among community dogs.
According to the plan, the new facility will handle at least 10 sterilization cases every day. In other words, the area covers around 2400 dogs every year. The District Animal Welfare Officer will coordinate with civic officials, especially in villages and small towns, to identify the total number of community dogs within their limits to implement ABC measures. Once the existing veterinary hospital in Ranipet town is upgraded to a polyclinic, more community dogs will be covered, officials said.
Published – 22 Jan 2026 21:16 IST
