The ever increasing population of stray dogs in Kashmir Valley, particularly in Srinagar city is a great challenge the population here is face to face with as there has been a surge in dog bite cases here. The situation has become more alarming as frequent cat bite cases too are being reported as a new trend of keeping cats as pets has gone up. Having pets is not wrong but those who decide to do so, should follow the norms like vaccination, deworming, timely treatment, and hygiene practices thus minimizing the risk of transmission of rabies.
As per reports, 12,833 victims, mostly from dog and cat bites, sought treatment at the Anti-Rabies Clinic at Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital in the past year. Among these cases 6,258 were dog bites, 6,095 cat exposures, and 480 other bite cases. The trend shows increase in cat bite cases. Earlier, cat bite cases used to be very rare but with more and more people having cats as pets, the increase in bite cases is very visible. It is mandatory that while rearing pets, all the protocols are followed properly thus keeping the pet clean and healthy and also not getting exposed to the risk of catching rabies.
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As for as dog bite cases are concerned, they are all from stray dogs. The over growing population of stray dogs is a glaring proof of the inefficiency of those who run civic bodies in Kashmir. In 2008, the animal rights organizations compelled the authorities to stop the poisoning process to kill stray dogs. Since then the dog population is on the rise here as the concerned authorities failed to adopt alternative scientific measures to keep the population under check. As poisoning of dogs was banned, the authorities were supposed to go for massive sterilization of dogs as the step was and is an animal friendly one and also an effective tool to keep the dog population under control. But here too, the authorities have failed.
Another failure of the concerned authorities responsible for increasing dog population and subsequent dog bites is the issue of waste management. In Srinagar and other major towns, the garbage is scattered haphazardly inviting armies of dogs thus risking the life and limb of people particularly children and women. The civic authorities should wake up and launch a massive sterilization campaign. Besides they should go for proper waste management and also identify places where dog ponds could be made. The government should ensure ample funding so that sterilization centres are established all over.
