Anantnag, Oct 1,: Dog menace has once again become a cause of serious concern in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, where locals say cases of dog bites are rising at an alarming rate. Locals of areas including Lazbal, Kadipora, Dangarpora and Kha Bazar said that almost every day one or two people are bitten by stray dogs, yet authorities have failed to take preventive action.
Groups of stray dogs roaming freely in these localities have created panic, particularly among children, women and the elderly. Parents said they hesitate to let children step out for school or play after repeated attacks. “Children cannot walk to tuition classes without fear. Packs of dogs chase them, and incidents of biting are happening daily,” said a local of Kadipora to the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
Locals accused the Anantnag Municipal Council of being a mute spectator despite repeated complaints. “We have been demanding action for months. The problem is worsening, but the municipality is doing nothing beyond issuing statements,” said a shopkeeper in Lazbal.
Locals also highlighted that heaps of garbage and open waste dumps are attracting stray dogs, multiplying their numbers. They urged the administration to improve waste management and initiate sterilisation drives to curb the menace. “If the municipality clears garbage and takes up dog sterilisation seriously, the threat can be reduced. But right now, no such effort is visible,” one resident remarked.
Doctors at the Government Medical College Anantnag confirmed that dog bite cases have been rising in recent weeks. Hospital staff said that on average, one to two fresh cases are reported daily, ranging from minor bites to serious injuries requiring vaccination. “We are administering anti-rabies treatment regularly. But prevention through controlling the dog population is the only long-term solution,” a medical officer said. [KNT]
