Jammu

Over 2.06 lakh dog bite cases were reported across Jammu and Kashmir during 2024–25, with Jammu district alone accounting for more than 1.26 lakh incidents, the government informed the Assembly on Thursday.

In a written reply to a question by National Conference MLA Mubarak Gul, Health Minister Sakina Itoo said 2,06,460 dog bite cases were recorded in the Union Territory during the two-year period, including 93,765 cases in 2024 and 1,12,695 cases in 2025.

The Jammu division reported 1,26,844 cases, with 54,863 cases in 2024 and 71,981 in 2025. Jammu district topped the list with 76,824 cases, followed by Kathua (17,129) and Udhampur (8,179).

Other districts in the Jammu division recorded 7,140 cases in Rajouri, 5,332 in Samba, 4,111 in Doda, 2,752 in Reasi, 2,023 in Poonch, 1,772 in Ramban, and 1,582 in Kishtwar, the minister said.

In the Kashmir division, 79,616 cases were reported during the same period — 38,902 in 2024 and 40,714 in 2025. Srinagar recorded the highest number with 35,174 cases, followed by Baramulla (12,882) and Anantnag (10,818).

Other districts reported 5,523 cases in Budgam, 3,925 in Kulgam, 3,725 in Kupwara, 2,914 in Bandipora, 2,197 in Pulwama, 1,695 in Ganderbal, and 462 in Shopian, she added.

Itoo said the data was compiled from inputs received from the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Government Medical Colleges, and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS). She said the government is taking steps to strengthen preventive measures and treatment facilities to address the rising number of dog bite incidents.

The minister said there is no report indicating an increase in the stray dog population within the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) limits. However, she said a scientific survey conducted by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) in 2023 estimated around 64,416 stray dogs within its jurisdiction.

To manage the stray dog population humanely, the SMC is implementing an outsourced Animal Birth Control–Anti Rabies Vaccination (ABC-ARV) programme, she said.

Acknowledging challenges posed by the high fertility rate among dogs, the minister said the SMC is enhancing capacity by setting up a third ABC-ARV centre at Ahal Chatterhama, which is expected to increase sterilisation and immunisation capacity by nearly ten-fold.

She added that designated centres with specific kennel allocations for pre-operative, post-operative, community and quarantine purposes are operational.

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“The SMC is working in compliance with all legal frameworks and recent Supreme Court directives, which mandate sterilisation, vaccination and release back to the original habitat as the only legally permitted intervention to manage stray dog overpopulation,” the minister said.