Omkar Dattatray
The stray dog menace in Jammu and Kashmir is a severe public safety and health crisis and concern. It affects particularly vulnerable groups like children, school goings students, with major hotspots in Srinagar and Jammu. The root cause is linked to inadequate waste management [attracting dogs] and insufficient, erratic implementation of Animal Birth Control -ACB programs prompting the administration to order stricter sterilization, shelter construction, and better waste disposal as long-term solutions, though implementation remains a challenge. The burning problem with which Jammu and Kashmir is beset is the problem of stray dogs. This menace has made the life of the people in both divisions of the UT hell. Jammu and Srinagar cities in particular and other places of J&K in general are facing the problem of stray dogs. Stray dogs and their ever-increasing population are threatening the health, hygiene and life of the people. In our childhood, we have seen that the population of stray dogs used to be contained and in those good old days, the town area authorities in towns and municipal authorities in big municipalities were giving poison to dogs and it was mixed with meat and other eatables and fed to dogs and thus the population of dogs was controlled and the presence of very less number of stray dogs did not present a problem. But with the intervention of environmentalists spearheaded by Manika Gadhi and with the orders of the honourable Supreme Court, the Municipalities, town area committees and the general people stand restrained to kill stray dogs, with the result, the number of stray dogs is increasing with each passing day and threatening our safety and life. In fact, there is complete ban on the killing of stray dogs and the alarming number of stray dogs stares us in the face. The stray dogs are particularly a health hazard problem for the school going children, older people, weak and infirm. The stray dog menace in Jammu and Kashmir has escalated into a major public health crisis ,with over 212,000 dog bites recorded between 2022-2025,leading to rabies deaths and widespread fear, fuelled by poor waste management, rapid urbanisation, and insufficient sterilization, prompting government action like animal birth control centres and new nodal officers, though long-term solutions need improved waste management, consistent vaccination, and public awareness to control the growing population and protect residents, especially children.
Causes—A—Poor Waste Management—Open garbage dumps attract strays, creating breeding grounds. Lack of scientific waste disposal by Municipal Corporations is one of the main causes of the alarming rise of stray dog menace. B—Urbanization—Rapid growth without adequate infrastructure supports stray dog population. C—Overpopulation---Estimates suggest a significant dog-to-resident ratio, with many pups born annually. High stray dog populations, with estimates suggesting a significant ratio to residents in some areas. D—Ineffective sterilization—Existing Animal Birth Control—ACB programs are too slow and inconsistent.
Key Aspects of the Menace---A—High Bite & Rabies Cases—Nearly 150 bites daily, with Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, and Baramulla seeing the highest numbers ,recent rabies deaths, highlight the severity.—B—Public Fear & Safety--- Residents, especially children, and elderly feel unsafe, with packs roaming markets and residential areas, affecting commuters.—C—High & Health Risks—Beyond bites ,the potential for rabies transmission is a major concern, with shortage of anti-rabies vaccines in some areas. D----Environmental Factors ---Open garbage dumping is a primary driver ,creating food sources and increasing dog population.
Government & Court Mandated Responses ---A—Supreme Court Directives----Recent Apex Court rulings emphasize humane management, prompting J&K government to act. B—Action Plan—Orders issued for better waste management, year round ABC centres, shelter construction ,and strict enforcement of Animal Welfare Rules.—C—Nodal Officers---Appointment of officials for coordination and implementation.—D—Departmental Action—Directives to secure premises like schools and hospitals against stray dogs.
Solutions & Recommendations----A—Robust Waste Management---Implement scientific waste management, segregation and disposal systems.—B—Intensified ABC programs—Increase sterilization and vaccination efforts significantly. -C-Animal Shelters---Establish proper ,well -located shelters and quarantine centres. D—Public Awareness---Educate citizens on proper garbage disposal to reduce attraction for strays. E—Enforcement---Ensure compliance with the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023. F----Directives Issued---J&k administration has ordered departments to fortify premises with barriers and improve sanitation. G—Community Involvement---Public awareness campa9ignsbon animal welfare and respons8ible feeding are also planned.
Stray Dog Menace needs to be Curbed—The Supreme Court has shown the way it is up to J&K administration to act decisively. The Supreme Courts latest direct8ive to relocate stray dogs from public places could not have come at a better time. Across Jammu and Kashmir, the stray dog menace has spiralled out of control, turning what was once a minor civic issue into a full -blown public health crisis. The, court’s intervention is thus welcome. Amid rise in dog bite incidents, the recent directive of the Supreme Court directing states and UTs to relocate stray dogs and animals from institutional areas and highways is seen as the need of the hour. The Supreme Court took serious note of the alarming rise in dog bite incidents in the institutional areas like educational centres, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations highways, and expressways, sports complexes, and directed the authorities to move such canines to designated shelters. Supreme Court directed states, UT’s including J&K, through their respective local or municipal authorities, to identify such institutions within two weeks and asked the administrative heads of such institutions to ensure that the premises are secured by adequate fencing, boundary walls, gates and such other structural measures as may be necessary to prevent the ingress of stray dogs. The top Court directed that cattle and other stray animals so picked up shall be kept in appropriate centres or cattle pounds and provided with necessary food, water, and veterinary care in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023. The Apex Court judgement has been widely welcomed in Jammu and Kashmir which has been witnessing a massive spike in dog bite cases as per official data, J&K has recorded a staggering 2,12,968 cases of dog bites between 2022-2025, Kashmir division tops the list with 1,14,498cases, while Jammu division has reported 98,470 dog bites during the three year period. To conclude, the menace of stray dogs is very alarming and threatening the public health and safety and so it should be talked on war footing to save the vulnerable sections of the society.it is so good that Supreme Court has issued directions to Jammu and Kashmir government to curb the menace of stray dogs.
The author is a columnist, social, KP activist and Freelancer |
