Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 9: In a heart-wrenching and shocking incident, an eight-year-old girl was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in the Seloo area of Sopore in north Kashmir, sparking widespread anger and fear among residents.
The victim, identified as Aiman Adnan Sheikh, daughter of Adnan Ahmad Sheikh, had reportedly gone to her family’s land when she was suddenly attacked by stray dogs. The brutal assault proved fatal, leaving the local community in deep shock. Police have registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the incident.
Locals, however, allege that the tragedy is a result of official apathy, blaming the Municipal Committee Sopore for failing to control the growing menace of stray dogs in the area. Residents said the unchecked rise in stray dog population has created an atmosphere of constant fear, particularly for children.
“This was waiting to happen,” said a local resident, demanding urgent and concrete measures to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
The incident has once again brought into sharp focus the alarming scale of the stray dog crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. Official data presented during the recent budget session of the Legislative Assembly reveals a staggering 2,06,460 dog bite cases reported across the Union Territory in just two years—2024 and 2025.
Of these, 93,765 cases were recorded in 2024 and a sharp rise to 1,12,695 cases in 2025, indicating a worsening situation.
The Jammu division accounted for the highest number of cases, with a total of 1,26,844 incidents over the two-year period. Jammu district alone reported a massive 76,824 cases, followed by Kathua (17,129), Udhampur (8,179), Rajouri (7,140), Samba (5,332) and Doda (4,111). Other districts including Reasi (2,752), Poonch (2,023), Ramban (1,772) and Kishtwar (1,582) also reported significant numbers.
In the Kashmir division, a total of 79,616 dog bite cases were reported during the same period. Srinagar topped the list with 35,174 cases, followed by Baramulla (12,882), Anantnag (10,818), Budgam (5,523) and Kulgam (3,925). Kupwara recorded 3,725 cases, Bandipora 2,914, Pulwama 2,197, Ganderbal 1,695 and Shopian 462 cases.
Additional figures from medical colleges and SKIMS Kashmir further highlighted the severity of the crisis, with 31,145 dog bite cases reported, including a staggering 25,149 cases from Srinagar alone.
As outrage grows over the Sopore tragedy, residents across the Union Territory are demanding immediate intervention from the authorities to tackle the stray dog menace and ensure public safety before more lives are lost. |
