SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 2,08,360 dog bite cases during 2024 and 2025, according to official data tabled in the Legislative Assembly, highlighting the scale of the public health challenge posed by stray dogs across the Union Territory.
The district-wise figures, placed in the House in response to an unstarred question by MLA Mubarak Gul, show that 1,26,844 cases were reported from Jammu division and 79,6116 from Kashmir division over the two years, as per data compiled by the Health and Medical Education Department and district health institutions.
In the Jammu division, 54,863 cases were reported in 2024 and 71,981 cases in 2025. Jammu district alone accounted for 76,824 cases over the two years, the highest in the Union Territory. Other districts with significant numbers include Udhampur, Rajouri, Kathua and Doda.
In the Kashmir division, 38,902 cases were reported in 2024 and 40,714 cases in 2025, taking the total to 79,616. Srinagar district recorded the highest number in the Valley with 35,174 cases, followed by Baramulla and Anantnag.
The government informed the House that adequate stocks of Anti Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) are available across all health institutions, including district hospitals, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres. Dedicated Anti-Rabies Clinics are functional at all major hospitals and medical colleges, operating round the clock for emergency wound management and vaccination.
As per the reply, awareness campaigns through posters, community meetings, schools, religious leaders and public announcements are being conducted to educate people about prevention, immediate wound washing and completion of vaccination schedules.
On the issue of stray dog population, the government stated that no report of an increase has been received from the Jammu Municipal Corporation. However, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) conducted a scientific survey in 2023 estimating 64,416 stray dogs within city limits.
The SMC informed that it has sterilised 15,266 dogs and immunised 15,725 dogs against rabies between 2018 and September 2025 under the Animal Birth Control and Anti Rabies Vaccination programme. A third ABC-ARV centre is being established at Ahal Chatterhama to increase sterilisation capacity tenfold.
The Directorate of Urban Local Bodies Kashmir has initiated steps to establish Animal Birth Control centres across all nine districts. Land has been identified for cluster centres in Baramulla, Kulgam and Sumbal, while abandoned buildings in Shopian and Kulgam are being repurposed for the same.
In Jammu division, the Urban Local Bodies have started the tendering process on a cluster basis for sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs. Two additional ABC shelters have been set up at Chowdhai and Bhagwati Nagar in addition to the existing facility at Roop Nagar.
The government informed that door-to-door waste collection, segregation of dry and wet waste, elimination of open garbage points and regular sanitisation are being carried out by municipal bodies to reduce stray dog congregation near waste dumps.
A nodal officer has been designated by the Health and Medical Education Department in compliance with Supreme Court directions and Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, to coordinate efforts related to dog bite management and stray dog control across departments.
