Escalating stray dog-man conflict in Srinagar, why are dogs turning ferocious

Srinagar among worst-hit cities with highest stray dog & human population ratio among all northern cities of India: Study

After the tragic death of an 11-year-old boy, Ahmad Bin Javid, earlier this month, who doctors said died of drowning, the family members and locals of the area accused the local municipal authorities of the death, saying the boy died after a pack of dogs chased him.

Close relatives and locals in the area earlier told Ground Report that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) authorities had acted ‘deaf’ upon their frequent complaints regarding the increasing number of stray dogs in their area.

As the people in the valley, particularly in Srinagar, have been highlighting the upsurge in dog chase and bite cases, according to the Department of Community Medicine, from April 2022 to March 2023 Anti-Rabies Clinic of SMHS hospital in Srinagar, 6855 animal bite cases have been registered of which around 5700 cases, are of dog bites.

Factors Responsible For the Increase

According to a research study on ‘Major Factors Associated with Increased Dog Population within District Srinagar’, open Garbage dumps have been highlighted as a public health problem.

The 2021 research states that sterilizations and anti-rabies vaccines are too less in comparison with the total population of dogs, saying during the research study only around 2,000 sterilizations were conducted, and also around 2,000 stray dogs were administered the anti-rabies vaccine.

The research mentions that to address the issue of the growing dog population in the city, in addition to focusing on proper garbage management Srinagar Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the Animal Welfare Board of India and Sheri Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology also had initiated the process of establishing Animal Birth Control and anti-rabies center by signing a tripartite MOU on 11th August 2011.

Sterilization Measures & Augmentation 

A senior official at Srinagar Municipal Corporation told Ground Report that SMC has taken a series of measures to address stray dog-related concerns on a modernized and scientific level by augmenting the existing and additional infrastructure for carrying out sterilization and anti-rabies vaccine for dogs.

“A multi-fold strategy is in place, new facilities have been set up under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme for carrying out sterilization procedure and anti-rabies vaccine”, he said.

According to a draft document reviewed by Ground Report, issued by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for the Animal Birth Control Programme to address the issue of stray dog-related concerns, the draft has highlighted overpopulation, dog bites, and aggression and Rabies as three major concerns.

Citing that killing or shifting of stray dogs from one place to another place is illegal under Animal Birth Control Rule, 2023 promulgated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the document states that the only legal intervention allowed is the implementation of Animal Birth Control and Anti Rabies Vaccination Programme in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. 

“The Srinagar Municipal Corporation has been implementing Animal Birth Control & Anti Rabies Vaccination Programme in all its 35 Administrative Wards (74 Electoral Wards)”, states the draft document.

Dog Population & Sterilization Procedure

Stating that there are above 80,000 dogs in Srinagar, the official said that currently they have a dog holding capacity of around 200 and that to carry out their sterilization and vaccine procedure they follow a defined set of protocols, saying that the surgical procedure is going to increase to around 40-50 in a day.

“We have infrastructural upgradation now at this ABC center and with that, we have increased the sterilization procedure from 10 to 50-60 in a day now and that coverage will take Srinagar to around 70 procedures in a day”, the official said.

SMC defines Road Map Ahead 

According to the officials they would be carrying the sterilization programme ward-wise in Srinagar city, and with the additional facility— post-operative kennels coming up at Chatrihama, the sterilization per day would scale up to 150 per day.

The document says that the Animal Birth Control and Anti Rabies Vaccination Programme follows a sequence of processes which include catching stray dogs by the catching team and their subsequent shift to the designated Animal Birth Control Centre.

According to the document, mentioning the process of sterilization of stray dogs, the captured dogs are neutered/ spayed (removal of reproductive organs) by the Veterinarian at the ABC Centre. 

It also states that to carry out the anti-rabies vaccination, the sterilized dogs remain in the ABC Centre for a few days for post-operative care of the surgical wound, following which the sterilized dogs are vaccinated against Rabies. 

Explaining the release process, the document states that the once the dogs are fully recovered, they are released back to their original territory, stating that this step is crucial because it allows the dogs to return to their familiar surroundings without contributing to further population growth. 

Dog & Human Population Ratio

A research study on Spatiotemporal Analysis of Dog Bites in Srinagar City, the summer capital of J&K based on the comparative analysis with other northern studies of India identified that Srinagar city is one of the worst-hit cities as it has the highest number of stray dogs and human population ratio among all northern cities of India.

Namera Zhahaby, a researcher told Ground Report that the open garbage points with highly portative leftover food are majorly aiding in the increase in the dog population and efficiency in breeding.

“Leftover protein food, like chicken and mutton bones and other forms of food are massively aiding in the increase of dog population. The highly portative food making them more aggressive towards humans”, she said.

According to Zhahaby, to address the Stray dog population management, the researchers have mentioned that Initially, SKUAST-Veterinary faculty, being the implementing agency for carrying out the surgeries, offered their operation theatre for the conduct of surgeries and the program was launched on 1st May 2012. With the assistance of the Animal Welfare Board of India, dog catchers were imparted special training at Jaipur too. 

Considering the highly prolific nature of stray dogs with an average life span of about 2-5 years and two breeding seasons a year, the research calls for the fast-track Sterilization of stray dogs along with effective garbage management.

“This is possible only if multiple ABC-AR centers are established across the city and sterilizations carried out at a massive scale for effective control of stray dogs. Since the available infrastructure with Municipal Corporation at Shuhama - Alusteng is very less to cater only 10 to 15 sterilizations a day and keeping in view the volume of sterilizations required, SMC has initiated to develop one more ABC center”, the study observes.

ABC Programme 

Mentioning the benefits of the ABC Programme, the official said that the ABC programme stabilizes the stray dog population through a humane method, curbing the spread of rabies in humans as well as in animals and also reducing the incidence of dog bite cases.

The official added that the programme checks the cruelty issues of stray dogs and legitimates the approach to address grievances concerning dog-related nuisances from the general public, further seeking public cooperation for the implementation of the Animal Birth Control & Anti Rabies Vaccination Programme. 

Notably, ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha festival, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Monday said that they have made elaborate arrangements for the collection of hides and offal of sacrificial animals and warned of strict action against those throwing them on the roadside or drains.

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