Failure of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to take measures for controlling fast growing population of stray dogs is taking a heavy toll on people of the summer capital.

In absence of any regulation, children and old aged persons are under constant threat of dog bites. “Presence of large number of strays dogs during evenings hampers our movement,” said Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Jawahar Nagar.

“Dozens of stray dogs are present in our area. We are afraid to even venture out during evenings,” said a group of resident of Babademb locality.

“Dogs chase us even during day. At least 15 to 20 dogs can be spotted in our street. We don’t think authorities are serious in doing their job. The process of sterilization is confined to papers only” said Waqar Ahmad, a resident of Bemina.

People alleged that poor sanitation is one of the reasons for presence of stray dogs in residential areas. “Authorities have failed to provide sanitation in residential areas, resulting in increasing number of stray dogs,” said Nazir Ahmad of Nowhatta.

People of Aali Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Safa Kadal, Bemina, Dalgate and Sonwar also complained about growing dog menace. Despite the alarming rise in cases of dog bites, the authorities are yet to devise a concrete measure to address the menace.

In 2011, a boy named Omar drowned in river Jhelum when a group of dogs chased him near Zaina Kadal here. According to officials, nearly half of the cases of dog bites happen to be the Class III bites—where the victim has one or further bites, scratches, licks on broken skin, or extra contact that breaks the skin.

The Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on 25 September, 2013 had taken strong note of killing of an infant by stray dogs at Habak terming it as a grave human rights violation and directed the authorities to take measures to check the canine menace.

Health authorities say that above 50000 people, mostly children, have been bitten by stray dogs in the past few years. They said some of the victims have died of rabies. SMC veterinary officer, Dr Javaid, said that a dog gives birth to 12 pups in a year and dog bite is a big challenge. “We are in a process to control number of dogs.”

He said presence of garbage in various areas is a factor responsible for increasing population. “We have also less number of infrastructures to control the birth rate of canines. However, the hospital records suggest that dog bite cases have fallen down,” he said.

“Authorities are establishing another facility at Tengpora where eighty surgeries for sterilization will be carried every day. Presently, we are able to carry only ten to twelve sterilization surgeries at Shahama and we are minimizing presence of garbage,” he added.