Srinagar: The Supreme Court’s latest directive to relocate all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to designated shelters has reignited debate in Srinagar, where the stray dog population has reached alarming levels. People are now asking: if such decisive action can be taken in the national capital, why not in Kashmir’s summer capital?
Across Srinagar, packs of stray dogs roam freely in streets, markets, and residential lanes, creating a persistent sense of fear. School-going children, elderly men and women, and daily commuters are often forced to navigate the city with caution. Many say the situation has reached a point where stepping out after dusk has become risky in several localities.
Health officials confirm that hundreds of dog bite incidents are reported annually in Kashmir, with several cases leading to rabies-related deaths. “We are losing lives, and yet there is no coherent action plan,” a senior doctor at SMHS Hospital told the news agency Kashmir News Trust, adding that many victims arrive in severe trauma after attacks.
Locals accuse the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) of failing to control the menace. While SMC officials cite legal constraints and resistance from animal rights activists as barriers to aggressive population control measures, citizens argue that public safety must take priority. “We are not against animal welfare, but the lives of our children come first,” said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Rajbagh.
The Delhi-NCR precedent, where the apex court has ordered the creation of proper shelters and relocation of strays, is being cited as a model for Srinagar. “If Delhi can have a humane yet effective policy, why is Srinagar being left to suffer?” said a senior journalist.
Animal lovers insist that sterilisation and vaccination programmes should be scaled up instead of mass culling. However, locals counter that existing sterilisation efforts have made little visible difference in the past decade. Many believe that without a bold, court-backed directive, the problem will continue to escalate.
Public health experts warn that unless the dog population is managed systematically, not only will bite cases rise, but the region could also see an uptick in rabies-related fatalities. Many say that the Jammu and Kashmir administration should take the issue to the High Court or Supreme Court, seeking a Srinagar-specific order on the lines of the Delhi verdict.
Recent data from the Anti-Rabies Clinic (ARC) at SMHS Hospital reveals 6,258 dog bite incidents between June 2024 and May 2025—translating to an alarming daily average of more than 17 bites . Animal bite cases in the Valley topped 12,833, including cat bites, as per the latest annual tally. This marks the highest bite count in over a decade, underscoring a steadily rising public health crisis. Children, especially, remain vulnerable: 98% of dog bite cases involve stray animals and fatalities, typically from rabies, average four to five per year in Kashmir. Despite efforts, SMC’s sterilisation initiatives have lagged behind the pace required. Since the ABC (Animal Birth Control) programme began in 2013, results have been modest. A Tengpora sterilisation facility processes 30–40 dogs daily, but that barely dents a stray population estimated at 80,000 to 90,000 dogs. [KNT]
