SMC manipulates dog population

Srinagar, Jun 8: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has devised a new method to distribute dog pollution in Kashmir capital Srinagar.
Instead of controlling the birth rate of dogs in Srinagar, SMC is busy capturing dogs from one area and supplying the same to another area either in the middle of the night or during the wee hours.
Locals from different areas of Srinagar city alleged that SMC vans arrive in their localities and free the captured dogs.
“I was shocked to see several dogs outside my house in the lane when I opened the gate to offer Fajar (pre-dawn) prayers. There used to be one or two dogs outside my house but this time the number was in dozens. Later on, I came to know that SMC has brought these dogs in our locality to ease their burden,” a local from Iqbal Colony A Mehjoor Nagar said.
Another local from Ikhrajpora Srinagar said that it has become a routine for the SMC employees to free the captured dogs in dog-free localities.
“I tried to capture the video when a van stopped and released the captured dogs in my locality. The moment I tried to approach the van, the driver fled from the locality,” said a local from Jawahar Nagar.
The dog population in Srinagar is on the rise. Scores of dog bite incidents have been reported but still, SMC has been doing nothing to address the issue. In the past SMC boasted of establishing birth control centres for dogs, but that proved only lip service to pacify the Srinagarties.
A senior citizen from Batamaloo area said that they particularly the kids are afraid to venture out from their houses after the sun set due to the presence of dogs.
Efforts to contact Commissioner SMC didn’t materialize as he didn’t respond to repeated phone calls. [KNT]