Over 2 Lakh Dog Bite Cases Recorded in J&K in 2024–25, Jammu District Leads

Jammu, Feb 5: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed over 2 lakh dog bite cases during 2024–25, with Jammu district reporting the highest count at 76,824 incidents, the government said on Thursday. Health Minister Sakina Itoo shared the figures in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in response to a question from NC MLA Mubarak Gul.

According to the minister, a total of 2,06,460 dog bite cases were recorded across the Union Territory over the two year period, including 93,765 in 2024 and 1,12,695 in 2025. The Jammu division accounted for 1,26,844 cases, led by Jammu district, followed by Kathua (17,129) and Udhampur (8,179). Other districts reported lower counts, with Rajouri at 7,140 and Kishtwar at 1,582 cases.

In the Kashmir division, 79,616 incidents were reported, with Srinagar at 35,174 cases, Baramulla at 12,882, and Anantnag at 10,818. Other districts recorded smaller numbers, including Budgam (5,523), Kulgam (3,925), and Shopian (462).

The data was compiled from the Directorate of Health Services, Government Medical Colleges, and SKIMS. Minister Itoo highlighted that the government is strengthening preventive and treatment measures across the Union Territory to tackle the rising dog bite cases.

Regarding stray dog populations, there was no increase reported in Jammu Municipal Corporation limits. In Srinagar, a 2023 survey estimated around 64,416 stray dogs. To manage the population humanely, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has implemented an animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination (ABC-ARV) programme, which is being expanded with a third centre at Ahal Chatterhama to boost sterilisation and vaccination capacity nearly tenfold.

Designated kennels have been set up for pre  and post operative care, community management, and quarantine. The corporation follows Supreme Court directives mandating sterilisation, vaccination, and release back to original habitats as the only legal intervention for stray dog overpopulation.