Srinagar, Jul 29 (KNO): With stray dog attacks and bite incidents triggering concern across Srinagar, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme has gone off track due to outsourcing issues, leaving residents in several localities demanding immediate intervention to curb the growing menace.
An official overseeing the department told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the civic body’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programmes have been affected after the outsourcing arrangement came to a halt.
“The outsourcing issue has disrupted the ABC programme. Once the process is completed, we will resume the sterilisation of stray dogs,” the official said.
He said the SMC continues to respond to complaints through its grievance cell. “We have a dedicated grievance cell. Whenever we receive complaints regarding injured, aggressive or rescued dogs, our teams are sent to the spot and necessary action is taken as per the prescribed procedure,” he said.
Replying to a query about the increasing number of dog bite cases, the official said effective control of the stray dog population is not possible without the ABC programme.
“We cannot relocate stray dogs because of Supreme Court guidelines. Until the ABC programme resumes, tackling the growing dog menace remains a challenge,” he said.
When asked about the resumption of the programme, the official said the matter is being handled by senior officers and the work will restart once the outsourcing process is completed.
PACKS OF STARY DOGS POSE THREAT
Meanwhile, KNO has been consistently receiving complaints from residents across Srinagar over packs of stray dogs roaming residential areas, lanes and markets, posing a threat to pedestrians, schoolchildren and elderly people.
Residents of Iram Lane, Budshah Nagar, Natipora, said fear of stray dogs has become a part of their daily lives.
“We are scared to step out early in the morning or after dusk. Children and elderly people are the worst affected. The authorities must restore the sterilisation programme and address the issue on priority,” Mukhtar Ahmad a local resident said.
Similar complaints have also been received from Karfalli Mohalla in Habba Kadal, Safa Kadal, Nowhatta near Jamia Masjid, Saki Dafar, Khanyar, Nowpora Safakadal, Zadimasjid Sakidafar, Stadium Colony Natipora, Faizabad Colong Naik Bagh and several other areas, where residents said the stray dog population has increased considerably in recent months and urged the authorities to take immediate and long-term measures to tackle the menace—(KNO)