Dear editor
The dog-menace in the Srinagar city is assuming dangerous proportions as they seem to have literally overtaken all the roads and streets of the city. The canines have been storming its streets, chasing cars, pulling down bicycle riders and often attacking pedestrians and school children. In some cases, even soldiers patrolling the streets have become their target.
Last week, one of our relatives was attacked by almost two dozen stray dogs, biting him almost everywhere. Fortunately he survived the attack.
Unofficial estimates and local NGOs put the number of dogs in the valley at more than a million, triggering fears of increasing dog-man conflict in the next few years if the dog population is not checked.
The stray dog menace has also reached Dachigam wildlife park, home to the hangul, an endangered Kashmiri stag.
The population of stray dogs has increased immensely in the city. During the night time, the canine terror runs high with scores of dogs on streets and near SMCs litter bins.
For those who travel by a car at night, it is safe as dogs only chase the vehicles. But for people who use motorcycles it is panicky. Dogs can attack the riders as they are vulnerable. Many times a rider loses balance and motorcycle skids resulting in serious injuries. The presence of stray dogs also does not make a good impression on tourists. We therefore request the administration to come up with an action plan against these culprits that are everywhere in city.
The dog menace became such a nuisance for Kashmir that the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir Dr Asgar Samoon voiced concern on social networking site Facebook by posting Large packs of stray dogs move on Sgr (Srinagar) city roads.
He even asked his OSD to call a meeting of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and other concerned organizations. This post started a huge debate on social media about the need to curb it urgently.
Many netizens shared their horrific experiences with stray dogs on the site, with the Divisional Commissioner Dr Samoon also commenting True my heart goes for the young boy we lost recently in Uri due to dog bite. I agree all rabid dogs or those suspect be put to rest. Rest of stray population needs to be sterilized and scavenging minimized by SMC and other local bodies by better disposal of waste.
Even after generating much debate and observations, not much was achieved on the ground by the concerned departments.
When shall the Srinagar Municipal Commission wake up from its deep slumber and save the city residents from the attacks of stray dogs?
Uzma Showkat
Srinagar
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