SMC halted sterilization to save canines from cold

Srinagar, Mar 16: Kashmir’s tertiary care SMHS hospital has received more than 14,000 cases of dog bites from across the valley in the last three years.
Official data accessed by The Kashmir Monitor shows that alone in the first two months of 2019, more than 900 cases of dog bites were reported in the hospital.
In 2017 and 2018, the number of such cases was 6,500 and 6,300 respectively.
Despite the presence of dog sterilization centre in Srinagar, the city tops the list with the highest number of dog-bites reported from the summer capital.
In the year 2018, the hospital witnessed around 4,500 cases of dog bites alone from Srinagar. The actual figure, however, can be even higher as the numbers do not include the cases treated at the peripheral level.
According to Dr Javaid Rather, Veterinary Officer, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the sterilization process was paused during the winter season as the apprehensions of dog deaths increase in cold weather.
“We have to work according to the guidelines of Animal Welfare Board of India, which suggest that during winter season, dogs may suffer hypothermia which can lead to the death of the animal. That is why sterilization was paused for two months,” said Dr Rather.
He said that SMC have set up another sterilization facility, which would help in controlling the population of dogs.
“Animal Birth Control Center, Tengpora, will come into place with four months. We would be able to perform 60 surgeries per day at this centre. More than 15,000 dogs will be sterilized per year,” he said.
Claiming that the center will drastically reduce the incidents of dog bites, the officer said the municipality’s target is to sterilize 75% of dog population within two years.
However, Dr Mohammad Salim Khan, Head of the department, Community Medicine, SMHS hospital said: “Over the years the number of dog-bite cases has increased as the population of dogs is increasing exponentially and the sterilization process is too slow to achieve targets.”
“Littering of organic waste especially animal waste serve nutritious diet to dogs. Failure to scientifically manage solid waste encourages dogs towards the dumpers,” Dr Khan told The Kashmir Monitor.