Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Mar 27 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said the estimated number of stray dogs in major urban centres of the Union Territory stands at 1,52,775, including 64,416 in Srinagar city as per the 2023 survey.
Replying to an unstarred question by MLA Tanvir Sadiq in the Legislative Assembly, the government said 43,200 stray dogs have been sterilised across districts during the last three years (June 2023 to September 2025).
The data, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reveals that Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) sterilised 21,600 dogs, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) carried out 13,730 sterilisations, while other Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) accounted for 7,870 cases.
The government further said that the sterilisation programme is being monitored through a multi-tier mechanism, including UT and ULB-level monitoring committees, real-time tracking through ABC mobile applications, regular reporting systems, CCTV surveillance at centres, financial monitoring, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
Responding to queries regarding third-party evaluation, it said no formal independent third-party assessment has been conducted so far. However, it added that the programme is under continuous monitoring by committees at state and municipal levels, including representatives from concerned departments and animal welfare organisations.
Highlighting steps to address public safety concerns, particularly for children and elderly citizens, the government said several measures have been initiated. These include expansion and strengthening of Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres, continuous sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination drives, and establishment of designated feeding spots away from public places.
The government also said that land has been identified for setting up dog shelters and ABC centres, while mobile sterilisation units are being deployed in coordination with the Animal Husbandry Department.
It added that regular sanitation drives are being conducted to reduce waste that attracts stray dogs, alongside training of dog-catching staff and public awareness campaigns.
The government further said that it is complying with directions of the Supreme Court in a suo motu writ petition regarding stray animal management and has framed a structured and humane strategy focusing on sterilisation, vaccination, infrastructure augmentation, and public safety measures—(KNO)
