Srinagar | April 7, (KNS): Reacting to disturbing reports carried by various news portals today, Mudasir Karim, Youth President of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC), expressed serious concern over the worsening stray dog menace in Srinagar. He termed the situation as a public health emergency, criticising the administration for its continued indifference and failure to act despite repeated red flags raised by civil society and healthcare institutions.
The reports have highlighted that 44 people were bitten by stray dogs in a single day, with eight victims attacked by a suspected rabid dog—an incident that has once again exposed the sheer inefficiency of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) Animal Birth Control (ABC) program. Mudasir Karim pointed out that despite tenders worth ?3.56 crores being floated since January 2024, no agency has come forward to take up the project, citing impractical and poorly designed tender conditions.
Mudasir stated that this crisis did not emerge overnight and that he has raised the issue multiple times in the past, both through public platforms and formal communication. He confirmed that he had also written to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), urging it to intervene in what he described as an escalating threat to public safety.
He also took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his frustration, writing:
“Enough is enough! How many more lives must be endangered before authorities take action? 44 dog bite cases in Srinagar in just one day - 8 from a suspected rabid dog in Sekidafar. Our streets are no longer safe—children, elders & ordinary citizens live in fear.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, the only legal solution, has hit a roadblock due to failed tenders & govt inaction. Why is there no urgency? Why is human life being treated so cheaply? When will J&K wake up? When will our leaders prioritize public safety over paperwork? The people demand answers & action!!”
Mudasir added that the crisis has been further intensified by the city’s non-vegetarian dietary habits, which—combined with poor garbage management—provide a constant food source for the stray dog population. The latest figures from SMHS Hospital, which reported 5,883 dog bite cases in 2024, serve as a chilling reminder of the scale of the problem. Over the past three years, at least 12 people have died as a result of rabies or trauma following dog attacks.
He called for immediate, coordinated action from the SMC and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to salvage the situation. In his statement, Mudasir emphasised that the solution lies not just in sterilisation efforts but also in enforcing proper waste disposal systems, forming rapid response teams for rabies-prone areas, and initiating widespread awareness campaigns about public safety and post-bite care.
“This is not just about stray animals; it’s about human lives. People are living in fear, children can’t walk to school safely, and hospitals are overwhelmed. This is a failure of civic responsibility at every level,” Mudasir said. He concluded by reaffirming JKPC’s commitment to raising the voice of the people and holding institutions accountable until meaningful change is delivered.(KNS)