J&K moves to secure schools, hospitals from stray dogs

Srinagar, Nov 21: Facing an alarming rise in dog-bite cases and a stern warning from the Supreme Court, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has rolled out a comprehensive drive to secure schools, hospitals and other public institutions from the growing stray dog menace.
The measures follow directions issued by the Supreme Court in Suo Motu Writ Petition (C) No. 5 of 2025, titled “City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price” vs State of Andhra Pradesh. Acting on these directions, the J&K administration has issued Order No. 1497-JK(GAD) of 2025 and set up new institutional mechanisms to ensure strict compliance across the Union territory.
Officials said Jammu and Kashmir has reported over two lakh dog-bite cases in recent years, triggering serious concern over public safety, particularly of children and patients, who remain most vulnerable to attacks in and around schools and health facilities.
Under the new order, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2023, will be implemented and monitored by a UT-level committee headed by the Administrative Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department. The panel has been tasked with identifying high-risk, high-footfall areas that need urgent interventions. These include schools, colleges, hospital and PHC complexes, sports grounds, bus terminals, railway stations and other institutions frequently used by children, women, elderly and patients.
As part of the preventive measures, heads of institutions have been directed to secure their premises by constructing boundary walls, installing lockable gates and undertaking other administrative steps to prevent the entry and habitation of stray dogs inside campuses. The entire exercise will be supervised by district administrations and municipal bodies.
Municipal authorities have, meanwhile, been asked to promptly capture stray dogs found within the premises of schools, hospitals and other notified institutions and shift them to designated shelters. There, as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, dogs will undergo sterilisation and vaccination before being relocated to safer areas.
“All procedures, from catching to sheltering, will be humane. We cannot compromise on that. The apex court’s directions will be followed in letter and spirit,” said a senior official associated with the rollout.
Significantly, the Supreme Court has barred the release of sterilised dogs back into the same institutional premises from where they are captured, especially where children and other vulnerable groups are present. The UT-level committee will conduct quarterly reviews to ensure strict adherence.
Officials said departments and agencies will be assigned clearly defined roles, responsibilities and timelines, and warned that stringent action, including departmental proceedings, may be taken against officers who fail to comply. (KINS)