SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reviewed measures to control the growing stray animal population, with a particular focus on stray dogs and rising dog-bite cases across the Union Territory.
Chairing a meeting of the Housing and Urban Development Department, the Chief Minister directed officials to prepare a comprehensive stray animal population-management plan within 15 days.
According to Abdullah, the plan should focus on addressing the issue while ensuring public health and safety across Jammu and Kashmir.
The review comes amid growing concerns over the rising stray dog population and the number of dog-bite cases reported across the Union Territory.
“Chief Minister today chaired a meeting of the Housing and Urban Development Department to review the management of the stray animal population across Jammu & Kashmir, with particular focus on stray dogs,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
Official data shows that Jammu and Kashmir recorded more than two lakh dog-bite cases over the past two years.
Jammu district accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the reported cases, while Srinagar district has recorded around 12 per cent, according to the data.
The Chief Minister’s directive is aimed at putting in place a coordinated strategy for managing the stray animal population and addressing concerns linked to public safety and health.
