Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Apr 02 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir recorded a total of 22,110 dog bite cases in 2022, which increased to 34,664 in 2023.
The reported dog bite cases, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), further rose to 51,027 in 2024, with 4,824 cases recorded in January 2025. Meanwhile, Ladakh saw 2,165 dog bite cases in 2022, rising to 4,078 cases in 2024.
In January 2025, Ladakh recorded 373 reported cases of dog bites.
Importantly, no human rabies-related deaths have been reported in either J&K or Ladakh over the past few years.
These figures were shared by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying in response to an inquiry in the Lok Sabha on April 1, 2025.
The Ministry emphasized that controlling the stray dog population and preventing the spread of rabies fall under the jurisdiction of local bodies in both J&K and Ladakh.
The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program, which includes sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs, remains the primary approach for managing this issue.
The government also noted that the National Rabies Control Program (NRCP) collects data on animal bites and provides necessary post-exposure prophylaxis to victims, especially vulnerable groups like children.
While the effectiveness of the ABC Program is yet to be formally assessed, the program’s implementation continues across various regions, including J&K and Ladakh, as part of broader efforts to manage the stray dog population and prevent rabies transmission.
The revised Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, now govern the sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs, with a focus on reducing man-dog conflicts and promoting humane treatment of animals—(KNO)
