No end to stray dog menace

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, being one of the most visited cities due to the picturesque places and heritage cities it houses, has been giving tough times to the people including the local populace as well as the visitors as the rising dog population has been pushing the people to the wall. Especially in the City areas, the number of stray dogs is seemingly increasing, which forces the common masses to stay indoors during the morning and evening hours due to the fear of getting bitten by the stray dogs. The situation is not different in the busiest places like Lal Chowk and other markets where the increasing number of stray dogs could be seen roaming, causing fear among the pedestrians, especially the school-going children. Such a situation is not only creating fear among the masses, but many people have been bitten so far by these stray dogs in Srinagar and elsewhere as well. In Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, a minor girl was mauled to death by stray dogs after she was attacked and grievously injured outside her residence in Beighpora locality of Awantipora. The girl was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital where she was referred to Srinagar. However, she succumbed to her injuries. At this juncture, there is a need to take immediate and necessary steps so that the number of stray dogs can be controlled well on time and the common masses could move freely out of their homes in the City areas where the number seems increasing with each passing day. Public cooperation is also a must to achieve the target, which would help in providing a free and secure environment to the children in particular and common people in general.