Jammu and Kashmir has recorded an alarming 2,12,968 dog bite cases between 2022 and 2025, according to official data released by the government in J&K Assembly today. In a written reply, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the charge of the Housing and Urban Development Department, informed the Assembly that the Jammu division recorded 98,470 dog bite cases, while the Kashmir division reported 1,14,498 cases during the period. In the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar district alone reported 36,406 dog bite cases, making it the worst affected area in the region.

It was followed by Anantnag with 26,453 cases and Baramulla with 18,563. Other districts with high numbers included Budgam with 9,382, Kulgam 6,612, Pulwama 3,426, and Kupwara 3,594 cases. In the Jammu division, the highest number of dog bite incidents were reported from Jammu district with 54,889 cases, followed by Kathua with 8,913, Udhampur 8,549, and Doda 4,390.

Districts like Kishtwar with 3,662, Samba 3,335, Ramban 2,257, Reasi 4,210, and Poonch 2,923, Rajouri 5,342. Officials say the surge in dog bite cases correlates with the growing population of stray dogs in both urban and rural areas of J&K. Despite sterilization and vaccination drives, the situation remains challenging for the civil bodies

The Assembly data said that between June 2023 and September 2025, a total of 48,938 stray dogs were sterilized and vaccinated across the UT. Of these, 27,237 were handled by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), while 13,730 were sterilized under the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC). Smaller urban bodies including Urban Local Body Kashmir (ULBK) and Urban Local Body Jammu (ULBJ) sterilized 161 and 7,810 dogs respectively. The government said that Srinagar Municipal Corporation has been consistently working to raise public awareness about the safety measures to prevent dog bites, educate the public about the Animal Birth Control & Anti Rabies Vaccination Programme and adoption of street dogs.

"The awareness efforts have been disseminated through various mediums including print & electronic media. To further this cause, the SMC has distributed approximately 25000 posters related to the ABC-ARV (Animal Birth Control and Anti-Rabies Vaccination) Programme in various wards of SMC besides hoardings are being installed in SMC Ward were ABC Programme is scheduled as per the devised ward wise calendar.