Canine troubles
Anandh, who had been waiting near Gate 6, was not the first victim of dog bite at the station. The emergency care unit on the premises, run by Apollo Hospitals, has recorded at least 20 dog-bite cases in the past two months. In Nov 2025, the Supreme Court ordered civic bodies to remove stray dogs from public places, including hospitals, colleges, bus depots and railway stations, and prevent their return.
Railway officials said they received four to five complaints every week. A senior medical officer at the emergency care unit said sterilisation alone does not protect against rabies. Rabies is fatal once symptoms develop, so timely vaccination is crucial,” the officer said. Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner G S Sameeran said, “We will definitely organise a special drive in central Railway station premises.
The court set an eight-week deadline to implement the measures. Nearly a year later, dogs continue to roam Chennai Central. For passengers who are bitten, the station’s lack of anti-rabies vaccine another hurdle. “A dog bite victim must take anti-rabies vaccine within the prescribed time. Similar drive has been done in various institutional limits based on Supreme Court orders and the community dogs have been relocated.”