Jammu and Kashmir is tackling a significant public health challenge, with official data revealing over two lakh (200,000) dog bite cases recorded across the Union Territory in the last three years. In response, the government has initiated a comprehensive stray dog management program focused on large-scale sterilization and immunization.
The data was presented in the Assembly by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in response to a question from NC MLA Mubarik Gul. The figures highlight the scale of the issue:
- Total Cases (2022-2025): 2,12,968
- Jammu Division: 98,470 cases
- Kashmir Division: 1,14,498 cases
Districts with the Highest Incidence:
- Jammu district: 54,889 cases
- Srinagar city: 36,406 cases
- Anantnag district: 26,453 cases
- Baramulla district: 18,563 cases
District with the Lowest Incidence:
- Shopian: 1,357 cases
To humanely control the stray dog population and reduce the risk of rabies, the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched an extensive Animal Birth Control (ABC) program.
Progress Report (June 2023 – September 2025):
- Total Stray Dogs Sterilized & Vaccinated: 48,998
Municipal Corporation Performance:
- Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC): 27,237 procedures (Leader)
- Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC): 13,730 procedures
- Other Jammu Region Municipal Committees: 7,870 procedures
The government is also focusing on building permanent infrastructure to support this ongoing effort.
- Srinagar: Currently has two ABC centres and is establishing a third.
- Kashmir Division: The Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir, is actively setting up new ABC centres in the remaining nine districts. Land identification is underway with deputy commissioners.
- First Phase: Land has been identified for three cluster centres in Baramulla, Kulgam, and Sumbal, signaling a committed push towards long-term stray dog population control and enhanced public safety in the region.
This multi-pronged strategy of data-driven action, active sterilization, and infrastructure development marks a critical step in addressing the stray dog menace in Jammu and Kashmir.
