CHENNAI: The surge in stray dog menace at the city airport has prompted the authority to deploy staff with sticks to combat the canines near the VVIP gates.

Many passengers raised complaints about their discomfort with the AAI on the issue in the recent past. A similar issue was raised a few years ago, where the AAI with the help of the Blue Cross caught 40 stray dogs from the airport and sterilised them.

Now, however, there are no such initiatives. The dogs chase the two-wheelers inside the airport premises adding chaos. The staff working in the airport are also affected due to the stray dog nuisance. The airport officials have said that stray dogs will be brought under control with the help of the local body and already they are taking steps to control the dog menace.

The airport’s move to deploy staff at the VVIP gates to chase the stray dogs has not received the warmest welcome from many passengers as they claim there should be a permanent solution to stray dog menace and it is not fair only VVIPs get this treatment. The staff will be on duty round the clock on a shift basis.