Dog crematorium inaugurated 4 months ago, but still not open

Chennai: Inaugurated more than four months ago, but not open this is the status of the dog crematorium at Kannammapet in T Nagar.
The result? Many owners are forced to cremate their pets at Blue Cross, waiting in long queues and paying 2,500.
Antony Rubin, a member of the State Board for Wildlife, said the city has only Blue Cross as its authorized crematorium. "GCC has not set a price for cremation of dogs and also the operation costs. This has to be made functional soon," he said.
A peek from outside showed the burial ground campus being poorly maintained, with open defecation and garbage strewn everywhere. Two workers did not allow TOI to go inside. This exclusive dog burial ground in T Nagar is also full. Till date, some pet owners visit the burial ground on their pets' birth/death anniversary.
With an estimated pet ownership of 25,000 dogs and 1.8 lakh stray dogs, residents said the city needs more such burial grounds, particularly in north Chennai. K Chadrakumar, a resident of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar said at least three burial grounds are needed for north Chennai, one each in Pulianthope, Royapuram, and Tondiarpet. "Pet owners are emotional during the death of their dogs, and it is a hassle for them to not be able to find a burying space. Not everybody has space within their house compound," he said.
GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said the corporation would place the operation costs in the upcoming council meeting for approval and get it functional.