Omkar Dattatray
The stray dog menace in Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a serious public safety and public health crisis. It particularly affects vulnerable groups such as children and school-going students, with major hotspots in Srinagar and Jammu. The root causes are inadequate waste management, which attracts stray dogs, and the insufficient and erratic implementation of Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes. These factors have prompted the administration to order stricter sterilisation drives, construction of shelters, and improved waste disposal as long-term solutions, though implementation remains a major challenge.
One of the most pressing problems confronting Jammu and Kashmir today is the stray dog menace. This problem has made life miserable for people in both divisions of the Union Territory. Jammu and Srinagar cities in particular, and other parts of J&K in general, are grappling with the ever-increasing population of stray dogs. Their unchecked growth is threatening public health, hygiene and even human life.
In earlier times, the population of stray dogs was relatively contained. Town area committees and municipal authorities used methods—now considered unacceptable—to control their numbers, and the limited presence of stray dogs did not pose a major problem. However, with the intervention of environmental activists and following directions from the Hon’ble Supreme Court, municipalities, town area committees and the general public are restrained from killing stray dogs. As a result, their numbers have been increasing rapidly, posing a serious threat to public safety. There is a complete ban on the killing of stray dogs, and their alarming population now stares us in the face.
Stray dogs are a particular health hazard for school-going children, elderly people, and the weak and infirm. The menace has escalated into a major public health crisis, with over 2,12,000 dog bite cases recorded between 2022 and 2025. These incidents have led to rabies-related deaths and widespread fear, fuelled by poor waste management, rapid urbanisation, and inadequate sterilisation. While the government has initiated measures such as setting up Animal Birth Control centres and appointing nodal officers, long-term solutions require improved waste management, consistent vaccination, and sustained public awareness to control the growing population and protect residents, especially children.
Causes
Poor waste management is one of the primary causes, as open garbage dumps attract stray dogs and create breeding grounds. Rapid urbanisation without adequate infrastructure further supports their growth. Overpopulation is another major factor, with a high dog-to-resident ratio in many areas and a large number of pups born annually. Ineffective sterilisation due to slow and inconsistent ABC programmes has compounded the problem.
Key Aspects of the Menace
The region witnesses nearly 150 dog bite cases daily, with Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag and Baramulla reporting the highest numbers. Recent rabies deaths highlight the gravity of the situation. Public fear is widespread, especially among children and the elderly, as packs of dogs roam markets and residential areas, affecting daily commuters. Beyond bites, the potential for rabies transmission remains a major concern, aggravated by shortages of anti-rabies vaccines in some areas. Open garbage dumping continues to be the primary environmental driver of the menace.
Government and Court-Mandated Responses
Recent Supreme Court directives have emphasised humane management of stray animals, prompting the J&K government to act. Orders have been issued for improved waste management, year-round ABC centres, construction of shelters, and strict enforcement of Animal Welfare Rules. Nodal officers have been appointed for coordination and implementation, and departments have been directed to secure sensitive premises such as schools and hospitals against stray dogs.
Solutions and Recommendations
Scientific waste management systems, including proper segregation and disposal, must be implemented urgently. Sterilisation and vaccination efforts under ABC programmes need to be intensified. Properly located animal shelters and quarantine centres should be established. Public awareness campaigns must educate citizens on responsible garbage disposal and discourage practices that attract strays. Strict enforcement of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, is essential. The administration has also ordered departments to fortify premises with barriers and improve sanitation. Community involvement through awareness campaigns on animal welfare and responsible feeding is equally important.
Stray Dog Menace Needs to Be Curbed
The Supreme Court has shown the way; it is now up to the J&K administration to act decisively. The Court’s recent directive to relocate stray dogs from public places could not have come at a better time. Across Jammu and Kashmir, the stray dog menace has spiralled out of control, transforming a civic issue into a full-blown public health crisis. The Court’s intervention is therefore welcome and timely.
Taking serious note of the alarming rise in dog bite incidents in institutional areas such as educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, highways, expressways and sports complexes, the Supreme Court has directed authorities to relocate stray animals to designated shelters. States and Union Territories, including J&K, have been asked to identify such institutions within a stipulated time frame and ensure that their premises are secured with adequate fencing, boundary walls, gates and other structural measures to prevent the entry of stray dogs. The Court further directed that animals so picked up must be housed in appropriate centres and provided food, water and veterinary care in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
The Apex Court’s judgment has been widely welcomed in Jammu and Kashmir, which has witnessed a massive spike in dog bite cases. Official data reveal that J&K recorded a staggering 2,12,968 dog bite cases between 2022 and 2025. The Kashmir division tops the list with 1,14,498 cases, while the Jammu division reported 98,470 cases during this period.
To conclude, the stray dog menace has reached alarming proportions and poses a serious threat to public health and safety. It must be addressed on a war footing to protect vulnerable sections of society. The Supreme Court’s directions to the Jammu and Kashmir administration to curb this menace are a welcome step in the right direction.
(The author is a columnist, social activist, KP activist and freelancer)
