Freedom of expression guarantees a free and liberal society where people don’t feel their hands cuffed and lips sealed. But what is the solution when a straying dog army poses a threat to school going kids, cyclists and other road commuters. And now doctors are engaged to treat even dog bite victims at SMHS Hospital, the only Anti-Rabies Clinic (ARC).
SMC is slowly moving towards sterilization to prevent their growth. This initiative not only added pace but also some urgency in tackling the dog menace. There is every possibility that the dog will again resume attacks on the humans. Of course, it may prevent further reproductive growth but cannot be the safeguard of human lives over rabid dogs. This was probably the reason that a stunned silence prevailed when the then Chief Justice F. M Ibraheem Kalifullah in the court chamber raised a query a year ago, which is still looking for an answer:
"Will a dog stop biting after sterilization"?
In the fresh canine terror stray dogs went on rampage making people run for cover, biting over two dozen people in the congested old City Shahr-e-Khaas and a dozen in Bemina area in one day. A virtual curfew prevailed in the morning hours on May 11 (2012) and the roads wore a deserted look. Many shopkeepers fled leaving behind their shops open as the dogs kept barking and prowling on the main road and other link roads. In the recent past (ARC) at SMHS Hospital confirmed that over 51 bite cases poured in, on April 23 this year.
Kashmir undeniably is confronted with many challenges and it cannot afford yet another controversy. And how to extricate it out of its multi-faceted predicaments has made a few brightest minds of the strife torn state to introspect. Mian Qayoom, President Bar Association, J&K High Court filed PIL, seeking end to canine menace, protection to human life, GK May 2 (12). Referring to Gandhi Ji, saying even he (Gandhi Ji) approved the idea of killing of stray dogs on the ground that roaming dog without an owner is a danger to society.
We have already seen the mauled face of three-year old Dua, to whom no one, not the even the medicos treating patients at the (ARC), could bring smile to her face. Another three-year old teenager, Rohan Preet Singh, was another dog bite victim (GK, April 26).
By now the dogs bites have broken all previous records in the state, showing steep rise in Kashmir. State's winter capital is without a foolproof mechanism in place to curb the growing population of stray dogs, which has already exceeded over twenty thousand and multiplying with the birth rate of 20-30 percent per year as per news reports. At present there is total confusion all around as sterilization process is long and tough, keeping in view their number which exceeds 1 lakh in the summer capital alone. And as per recent survey which has revealed that among dog bite victims, 34 percent were children, mostly teenagers who were mauled during the past five years.
Dog sterilization facility at the state of the art pound expected to house some 40 dogs at a time came up on 19 Kanal land provided by S.K. Agriculture University Science and Technology in Alasteng outskirts of Srinagar. And 50 Dogs can be sterilized in a day after their fitness aspect is clarified by a team of doctors first.
Their importance in vigilance department especially in military organization is of great importance. They are provided decent food and are looked upon by trained personnel. The dog is famous for his greed as well, and facts loudly speak against canines which mostly feed on the filth. The citizens require a better deal because of health matters. Apart from sterilization, there is a need to start proper garbage disposal system.
SMC should make it mandatory for the Srinagarities residing within Municipal limits to pay monthly a reasonable amount (fixed by a panel of experts). And in lieu of this monthly payment, the SMC needs to provide regular vehicular services for carrying waste materials from outside the doors of residential houses every day. The matter needs to be monitored at the highest level in the government.

(The author is Retired Assistant Director Tourism/Former Under Secretary to Govt.)

Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
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