Srinagar: Kashmir's civil society activists,
on Saturday held a demonstration here against the persistent problem
of stray dog bites and the government's alleged apathy about
it.
Carrying banners with slogans denouncing animal rights
groups and the government for its inaction over the threat
posed by the increasing canine population and attacks on
people, dozens of activists protested at Residency Road.
The agitators said stray dogs cannot be allowed to
survive at the expense of humans.
The stray dog population in Kashmir is estimated to be
over 10 lakh. The municipal authorities last year had planned
a dog sterilisation and culling drive to curb the growing
menace but this has been resisted by some animal rights groups
and dog lovers.
Over 10,000 dog bite cases have been registered in
Srinagar city alone during the last couple of years. Some of
the canine attacks have proved fatal for humans, including the
death of a 10-year-old last month, that sparked public
outrage.
Some civil society groups have now threatened to
undertake dog culling themselves if the government fails to
control the menace and protect people.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 14:55