Stray dog attacks continue

Srinagar, Aug 13: A fresh stray dog attack in Srinagar’s downtown left a youth seriously injured.

The incident has reignited public anger over the unchecked canine menace gripping Srinagar.

The victim, identified as Arhan Bilal, was reportedly returning home through Nowpora Safakadal when a pack of dogs attacked him.

Witnesses said the animals surrounded him in a narrow lane, biting him multiple times before locals intervened.

Bilal, who sustained deep wounds, was rushed to SMHS Hospital for emergency treatment.

His father told the media that the incident was a repeat of last year when his son was attacked in the same locality.

“It’s like living under siege. We have complained to the authorities repeatedly, but the situation only gets worse,” he said.

Residents say the area’s dimly lit streets and overflowing garbage sites make it a hotspot for stray dogs.

They said that the attacks peak during evening hours, forcing pedestrians and two-wheeler riders to alter their routes or carry sticks for safety.

“Walking home after dark feels like walking into danger. The packs don’t just bark, they chase and bite,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, another local.

The latest attack comes nearly a week after a middle-aged man in Bemina was critically injured when his motorcycle skidded while stray dogs were chasing him.

That incident sparked widespread outrage, with commuters, joggers, and schoolchildren among those voicing safety concerns.

“We are unable to move around due to the fear of dog attacks. We cannot even go for a morning run without fear. All of us are now forced to carry sticks and go in groups on the morning run. As for commuters, they have stopped using two-wheelers after sundown due to fear of dog attacks,” said Sahil Bhat of Habbak.

Locals across Srinagar say uncollected waste and open dustbins remain the biggest draw for stray dogs, creating permanent feeding grounds.

They said while the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) operates two sterilisation centres in Tengpora and Shuhama, the centres mostly remain shut and drives are too slow to make any visible difference.

Greater Kashmir published a series of stories on the issue.

An official from SMC acknowledged the challenges but insisted the administration was working to scale up sterilisation efforts.

“We are accelerating the programme to cover a larger number of dogs in the coming months,” the official said.