For the second consecutive day, students of Baynes Memorial Baptist Church School on Vepery High Road had to bear the overpowering stench of carcasses from Madras Veterinary College (MVC) next door.
Teachers said the stench came from the carcasses of dogs that had been sent to the college for post-mortem. “Though the carcasses were removed on Friday morning, according to the college authorities, the smell lingers. Some of the students have also reported fever and vomiting,” principal of the school, Sukanya Baynes Prabhu, said.
In less than a week, between November 17 and 22, the department of pathology has done post-mortem on at least 51 carcasses of dogs, according to officials of MVC. On an average, the officials said, the post-mortem of each carcass takes at least 30 minutes and on a decomposing one, it can take an hour or more.
MVC officials said all the carcasses that were brought during the past fortnight were in a highly decomposed state. “We have taken adequate measures, including disinfection of the area, after conducting the post-mortems. As the flow of carcasses was unusually high, the stench was exacerbated,” MVC dean S.A. Asokan said.
Sriperumbudur-based Tamil Nadu Waste Management Limited is entrusted with the disposal of the carcasses.
School authorities said the college should have a system in place to clear carcasses as and when they arrive. “This is the second time in a decade such an incident has occurred. A permanent solution is needed,” said Ms. Prabhu.
