Forty-nine stray dogs have died in a shelter at IIT-Madras over a period of ten months since their capture.
The deaths came to light after a PIL was filed by an animal rights group.
Animal activists have been raising their voice for a while now against IIT Madras for allegedly creating a facility inside the campus to restrain and sterilise stray dogs, according to a report.
The matter has now reached finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan who is a known animal lover.
Earlier, the minister had rescued a female Indie dog with a broken leg in front of the secretariat in July, gave treatment for seven weeks and announced last week on Twitter that she was now part of his family, according to a report by Indian Express.
In September last year, IIT Madras had impounded over 160 stray dogs, which they claim are responsible for the drastic fall in deer and blackbuck population in the campus.? ?
The plea was filed in the Madras High Court by animal activist Arun Prasanna, who is also the founder of People For Cattle in India (PFCI).?
Earlier, the IIT, in their letter to the National Green Tribunal had said that the strays are responsible for killing the deer on campus.