Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has issued 73,754 pet licences and embedded mandatory microchips in registered dogs as part of a city-wide crackdown on unlicensed pets and rising safety concerns.

The civic body had set December 7 as the deadline for compulsory dog microchipping in Chennai. Following the cut-off date, pet owners who failed to comply were fined ₹5,000 each. The Corporation has so far collected ₹7.11 lakh in penalties from defaulters.

According to GCC Veterinary Officer Kamal Hussain, the pet licensing and microchipping drive began in October and continued until mid-December, drawing a strong response from residents. He said more than 70,000 licences were issued during the initial phase, with microchips implanted in all registered dogs to improve traceability, vaccination monitoring and public safety.

Chennai tightens pet rules after dog attack incidents

The intensified enforcement follows a series of reported dog attack incidents in Chennai over the past two years.

In May 2024, two Rottweilers allegedly attacked a five-year-old girl and her mother at a public park. Subsequent incidents involving Rottweilers and Boxers left several people injured, including a 12-year-old boy who sustained serious wounds.

In May 2025, an IAS officer was reportedly bitten during a morning walk in Royapettah. A month later, a fatal Pit Bull attack resulted in the death of a man, with the dog also injuring its owner when she attempted to intervene.

In response, the GCC made it mandatory for pet dogs to be leashed and muzzled in public spaces and to receive regular vaccinations under updated Chennai pet regulations.

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What is dog microchipping and why does it matter?

The microchip — a small electronic device implanted beneath the dog’s skin — allows authorities to access ownership details and vaccination records, ensuring accountability in cases of dog bites or abandonment.

Veterinary centres across Chennai reported a surge in registrations ahead of the deadline. Shravan Krishnan of the Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary said the rush was significant before the cut-off date, but registrations have since declined to fewer than 10 cases a week. The dispensary alone has implanted 1,812 microchips so far.

The GCC continues to offer free dog licence registration and microchipping services at seven designated centres across the city. The facilities operate from 8 am to 3 pm, Monday to Saturday.

Officials said the Chennai pet licence and microchipping initiative is aimed at strengthening responsible pet ownership, enhancing public safety and preventing further dog attack incidents in the city.

IANS