Stray animals, particularly dogs and cows, have become a major nuisance in Srinagar. The animals roam freely in the streets, creating a number of problems for residents.
One of the biggest problems caused by stray animals is that they spread dirt and disease. Dogs often scavenge for food in garbage bins, which exposes them to harmful bacteria and parasites and these bacteria and parasites “can then be transmitted to humans through contact with the dogs or their feces.”
Cows also pose a health risk, as they carry diseases such as tuberculosis and brucellosis. These diseases can be transmitted to humans through contact with the cows' milk, urine, or feces.
In addition to the health risks, stray animals also cause a number of other problems for residents of Srinagar. “Dogs often bark loudly at night, disturbing the sleep of residents. Cows also block traffic and create a nuisance in public places,” a local resident Ali Mohammad said.
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is responsible for controlling the stray animal population in the city. However, the SMC has been unable to effectively address the problem due to a number of factors, including lack of resources and manpower.
The SMC has taken some steps to control the stray animal population, such as sterilization and vaccination programs. However, these programs have not been effective enough. “The SMC needs to do more to address the problem, such as building more animal shelters and increasing the number of sterilization and vaccination programs. The residents of Srinagar can also play a role in controlling the stray animal population. They can do this by avoiding feeding stray animals and by reporting any stray animals that they see to the SMC,” added another local resident.