Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, Oct 30 (KNS): The growing population of stray dogs in the Bemina area of Srinagar city pose a severe threat to the local residents.
People in the area are increasingly concerned about the unchecked rise in the number of street dogs and believe that this problem persists due to a lack of action from the authorities.
The menace of stray dogs is particularly prevalent in Bemina, affecting various colonies, including Alfarooq Colony, Ibrahim, Mohamadiya, MIG, HIG Colonies.
Residents have long been pointing fingers at the authorities for failing to take appropriate measures to curb the escalating dog population.
The Social and Preventive Medicine Department at the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, the Valley’s sole tertiary care hospital, has reported hundreds of cases of dog bites in recent years.
To address the issue of canine overpopulation in the city, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated a sterilization process. However, local residents have expressed frustration, calling it a lengthy procedure that doesn’t provide an immediate solution to the problem of dog bites.
Jamsheed Ahmad, a resident of Alfarooq Colony bemina, lamented, “Sterilization is a long process. The government seems to lack seriousness in tackling this grave issue. Timely action is needed to curb this menace.”
“Residents here regularly encounter stray dogs roaming the streets, chasing cars, harassing bicycle riders, and even attacking pedestrians and children, causing distress and fear,” the local residents told KNS.
Experts attribute the ferocity of these dogs to the availability of high-protein food, mainly due to the dietary habits of Kashmiri residents, where mutton and chicken are staples.
“We fear that if the unchecked dog population continues to grow, it could lead to widespread fear and anxiety among the people. The issue of stray dogs must be addressed seriously, or in a few years, there may be more dogs than Srinagarites, and they will pose a threat to everyone,” said a concerned local resident.
Despite attempts to contact SMC officials for comments on the matter, no response has been received, leaving residents anxious for a swift and effective solution to the ongoing stray dog issue that has plagued Bemina for far too long.(KNS)
