TNAWB flags animal cruelty complaints against NGO running animal birth control program

The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB) has sought immediate action against Prani Mithran, an animal welfare organisation, engaged in animal birth control (ABC) work, citing repeated allegations of animal cruelty and violations of statutory rules.

In a letter to the Director of Municipal Administration, S.P. Amrith, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and Member Secretary of the TNAWB, said the Board had received 17 formal complaints against the organisation between January 2023 and January 2026.

The complaints alleged cruel and improperly conducted sterilisation surgeries on stray dogs, mutilation of animals, negligence in post-operative care, and several deaths. They also pointed to violations of provisions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.

The organisation is involved in implementing Animal Birth Control programmes for local bodies in several places, including Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Avadi. However, it does not figure in the list of animal welfare organisations and municipal corporations granted project recognition to undertake the ABC programme as approved under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.

The letter cited inspection reports submitted on February 19, 2026, by the District Animal Welfare Officer, Coimbatore, and the Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, Tiruppur, which flagged serious irregularities at the ABC centre run by the NGO.

The inspection further identified several deficiencies, including the absence of a proper operation theatre with required surgical equipment, unhygienic kennel conditions, and failure to carry out mandatory ear-notching of sterilised dogs.