Syed Nissar H Gilani
Throughout my life, my experiences with canines—both beloved pets and territorial strays—have formed a significant part of my personal history. These encounters began in the innocence of my childhood, centered around a majestic black German Shepherd gifted to me by my late father.
Tiger: The Guardian of Yarkand House
I was merely a student in the 4th grade when “Tiger” entered our lives. Though I was too young to know his pedigree, his physical presence was roaring and magnificent. While my mother often reprimanded me for being too close to him, fearing infection, I was the only one who took complete care of him. We bathed him weekly, and he became my inseparable companion, even sharing space on the sofa and joining me in games of hide-and-seek.
Tiger was more than a pet; he was my silent protector. At the time, I was being tutored at home by a teacher who would frequently beat me without rhyme or reason. I bore these raw scars in silence, never telling my parents. One early summer morning, as the teacher arrived on his new bicycle, I decided Tiger would be my answer. On my cue, Tiger chased the man with such ferocity that the teacher abandoned his bike within the premises of Yarkand House and fled, never to be seen again. It was a moment of profound relief for my tender self. Tiger remained a loyal member of our family until his passing.
A Gift of Friendship: Tommy
Later in my life, after I had grown, our household was graced by another beautiful dog named Tommy. She was a gift to my loving father from his dear friend, the Late Hakim Nasir of Habba Kadal, Srinagar (May he rest in peace). Unlike Tiger, who was loyal almost exclusively to me, Tommy was a family dog. However, the fear she inspired in visitors eventually meant that guests became rare. To maintain our social ties, we eventually gifted her and her lovely puppies to a close friend.
Encounters Abroad and at Sea
My memories of dogs extend far beyond Srinagar. In 1971, while undergoing training in Bombay, I inadvertently entered the gates of a senior Parsi doctor’s residence in Colaba. I was suddenly surrounded by a dozen Bulldogs. By the grace of God, I retreated just in time, leaving my bag behind. Once the “squad” was chained, the kind 85-year-old gynecologist offered me tea and biscuits. She lived alone, guarded better by her dogs than any security detail.
Years later, in 1995, my friend Vicky Pitcher, who lived on a houseboat in Nigeen Lake, brought a special breed from England called “Fordo.” Though her leopard-like appearance was draconian and kept people at bay, she was incredibly gentle. Sadly, Fordo passed away while accompanying her master to Goa.
The Shifting Tide: From Management to Menace
In earlier decades, the stray dog population in Srinagar was manageable. The municipality frequently conducted culling operations during the summer to keep numbers in check. Even as an administrator in various town areas, I remember ordering canine-management measures from Calcutta to address the menace. However, following the advocacy of activists like Maneka Gandhi, these practices were halted—a delight for animal lovers, but a growing challenge for urban safety.
My own encounters with strays have been harrowing. I once had to discard a moped because local dogs would howl in unison every time I started it. More recently, during a morning walk at the University of Kashmir, I was “ambushed” by a pack of a dozen dogs near the Law Department. Only my black umbrella, which fell and rolled in the wind, distracted the pack long enough for me to escape.
A Call for Action
The current situation is no longer a mere nuisance; it is a crisis. We have seen heartbreaking instances where the elderly and children have been attacked. I still recall the tragic story of a three-year-old girl who was bitten so severely that she later succumbed to her injuries. The anger in our localities is palpable. While the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) claims to be implementing new methodologies, the menace remains. It is time for the authorities to move beyond rhetoric and find a definitive remedy that ensures the safety of our most vulnerable citizens.
Syed Nissar H. Gilani is a former civil servant from the administrative service and can be reached at nisargilani57748@gmail.com
