Stray dog attack at Faqir Gujree sparks safety concerns

Srinagar, Jun 27: A fresh stray dog attack in the Faqir Gujree area of Dara on the outskirts of Srinagar has once again brought the growing stray dog crisis in Kashmir into sharp focus, with residents accusing the administration of failing to protect citizens despite repeated incidents across the Valley.
Videos circulating on social media purportedly show two young children who were allegedly bitten and scratched by stray dogs during the incident.
The latest incident has triggered widespread concern and anger in the locality, where residents say fear has become a part of everyday life, particularly for children, women and the elderly.
“We have reached a point where parents are scared to let their children walk to school alone. Elderly people avoid morning walks, and women hesitate to step out after dusk. Every new attack is followed by silence from the authorities,” Nazir Ahmad, a resident, said.
Another resident, Tahir Nazir, said the government cannot continue to treat the issue as routine. “Whenever an attack happens, officials make promises. But the reality on the ground remains unchanged. We need a permanent solution, not temporary assurances,” he said.
According to figures placed by the government in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly earlier this year, an estimated 1.52 lakh stray dogs are present across urban areas of the Union Territory, including over 64,000 in Srinagar. The government also informed the House that around 43,200 stray dogs were sterilised between June 2023 and September 2025.
Locals alleged that overflowing garbage dumps and easy access to food waste continue to fuel the stray dog population in several parts of Srinagar. They also claimed that the pace of the sterilisation programme has been inadequate to address the growing menace.
“We hear about sterilisation centres, but the situation on the ground tells a different story. Unless sterilisation and scientific waste management are carried out on a war footing, these attacks will continue,” another resident said.
Residents urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to immediately intensify the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, improve waste management and identify vulnerable areas to prevent further attacks. (KNO)