No end to stray dog menace in Srinagar
Srinagar, Feb 25: Srinagar is grappling with an unchecked growth in stray dog population posing serious threat to people in various areas.
The problem has been compounded as two dog sterlisation centres have been rendered defunct. Residents said that from busy commercial hubs to residential neighbourhoods and iconic landmarks, packs of stray dogs are a common sight. The situation has reached alarming proportions, with frequent dog bite incidents being reported from almost every part of the city. Medicos at SMHS Hospital and other medical facilities have, over the years, recorded thousands of dog bite cases, underlining the scale of the crisis.
Residents point out that the problem is not confined to isolated pockets. “You can see packs of dogs near Lal Chowk, at Ghanta Ghar, outside hospitals, and even inside educational campuses,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a local from Soura.
“It not only defaces the city’s image but puts pedestrians, children, and elderly people at constant risk,” he added.
Srinagar areas like Zakura and Batapora have witnessed repeated incidents where stray dogs chase two-wheeler riders, often leading to near accidents. “I was riding my scooter early in the morning when a group of dogs suddenly chased me. I lost balance for a moment. It is frightening, especially on narrow roads,” said Irfan Ahmad, a resident of Hazratbal.
Morning walkers say they now step out with caution. “Earlier, walking was relaxing. Now we carry sticks to scare away dogs. There are days when packs block entire stretches,” said Bilal Ahmad, a Jogger from Harwan.
The fear intensifies after sunset. Parents said that children are discouraged from stepping outside in the evening, while elderly residents avoid short walks altogether. “After sunset, the streets feel unsafe amid the presence of stray dogs,” said Muzamil, a resident of Downtown.
Public institutions are not spared either. Students and attendants at Kashmir University and patients visiting SKIMS Soura complain of frequent encounters with aggressive dogs within and around campuses. Residents also blame poor waste management for the surge.
“Unless garbage is managed properly, sterilisation alone will not help,” said a local.
Authorities had earlier announced Animal birth control measures, but the impact on the ground remains limited. Currently, Srinagar has two dog sterilisation centres, one at Tengpora and another at SKUAST Shuhama. However, officials confirmed that both are defunct during winter.
“Because of winter conditions, surgeries are temporarily suspended,” said an official of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
The official said the centres would resume operations in the coming months and added that a new sterilisation facility is also being set up. “Once functional, it will give a major push to the animal birth control programme and help bring the dog population under control,” he said.
