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