Official figures have revealed that Kashmir has reported over 52000 dog bite cases in the last 9 years with around 2780 dog biting cases have been reported this year (January to September) alone at Anti Rabies Clinic SMHS hospital.
This figure highlights the menace of stray dogs in the valley as well as the task facing the authorities.
The official figures are available with the department of Community Medicines, Government Medical College (GMC).
The highest number of dog biting cases- 7324, were reported in 2015-16 followed by 6984 cases in 2019-20.
Around 6802 cases were reported in 2017-18, 6548(2016-17), 6399 (2018-19), 6041 (2013-14), 4917 (2014-15) and 4798 cases were reported in 2020-21.
An official said the population of stray dogs was on the rise across the Val-ley since the Animal Rights organizations compelled the authorities to stop the poisoning process to kill the stray dogs.
“The authorities took some alternate measures to control the dog population but the steps could not maintain the pace due to which the population of stray dogs remained unchecked,” the official said.
Head of the Community Medicines Department GMC Srinagar Dr. Muhammad Salim Khan while referring to the figures said they receive around 4000 cases of dog bites in hospital every year.
“The numbers go up to 6000 at times. Many deaths have occurred because of dog bites. We do not have any data available but around two to three deaths have occurred in the past few years,” he said.
Problem of Stray Dogs
The stray dogs are usually found near the garbage points, giving a tough time to the passersby who usually become the main victim of dog bites.
“The problem lies with people who throw the garbage anywhere on the road. We should develop a civic sense of garbage management outside our houses. We should not throw the garbage anywhere out in open,” he said.
Meanwhile, the department of Union Health and Family welfare, GoI has asked all the states and UTs to declare Human Rabies a Notifiable disease under Clinical Establishment Registration and Regulation Act 2010 or respective State Public Health Act or Nursing Home Act.
In an official communication issued to all the secretaries of the health department, the Union Secretary of health and family welfare department, Rajesh Bhushan has stated that Rabies was one of the oldest recognized Zoonotic diseases with extremely high fatality rate.
“This disease causes extremely painful deaths where the patient suffers painful spasm and dies of extreme thirst and hunger because of hydro-phobia. This fatal disease is completely preventable by timely and appropriate Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP),” he said.
“Many countries from Latin America, Europe have achieved Rabies elimination and there is global call for Rabies Elimination i.e. Zero Deaths due to Rabies by 2030,” he said.