CHENNAI: Every year at least 40 people from Chennai and its suburbs are killed in road accidents involving stray animals. Over 100 people get injured in these accidents annually, according to official data.
This figure has risen by 30% in 2021 as stray animal menace becomes more rampant, particularly by cows and dogs during the night along highways. This is because their usual grazing fields near lakes or riverbeds are filled with rainwater and cattle owners let them sit on roads.
Often sighted in the middle of major roads, stray animals have caused frequent traffic congestions too. R Sadish, a resident of Padur in OMR, said, “All of a sudden, a dog ran across the road in front of my car. I lost c o n t r o l a n d rammed into a barricade.”
He and his family suffered severe injuries and had to spend three weeks in a hospital, besides spending `80,000 towards vehicle r e p a i r wo rk . Many OMR residents have complained ab
