Even after Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) claimed to have reduced the stray dogs’ population, the regular visitors at SMHS hospital today alleged that there was an increase in dog populace in the premises of the hospital.As per 2011 census, population of dogs was 90,000. In 2012, a census done by Humane Society International, an independent placed the figure at 49,000. However, posing a threat to patients, their attendants and doctors, the stray dogs roam around freely near the gates, canteens and all around Government Medical College, Srinagar.
Looking at a black and another yellow dog sitting around an ATM guard, a doctor at GMC said, “You cannot just walk freely. They might seem to be harmless but you never know what offends them.”
“They are higher in number and probably their presence indicates that SMC needs to clean the area and get rid of the dogs, at least from the premises of the hospital,” she added. The students of GMC also said that they feel scared to roam around in campus.
“Whenever the dogs see that you are eating something, they come near and it scares us a lot,” said one of the students having tea near the canteen.
A large number of people from the economically weaker sections of the society depend on the government hospitals for their healthcare needs. Hailing from far flung areas they travel early in the morning and also during late night hours. Adil Bashir, a resident of Kupwara told KP that though he pretends to be brave in front of his family, he is scared of the dogs.
“I bring my sister to the hospital and she jumps every time she sees a dog. I ask her to calm down but looking at the recent cases of dog bites, the idea of getting attacked by a dog scares even me… more than anything,” he said. In Srinagar about 4700 dog bite cases have been registered in 2015-16 (till date). There are not only dogs but also cats and mice near and inside the hospital. A local with an infant in his arms feels that his baby is not safe even inside the hospital. “Look at this cat. What is it doing it? How do I leave my sick baby in a ward and not expect the cat to harm him. Though there are people around but that does not justify the presence of animals here,” said Bashir Ahmad, an attendant.
Chief Sanitation Officer SMC, Manzoor Ahmad said that dogs are more in number at places where there is garbage or where there are insanitary conditions.
“We are trying to clean the whole city. As far as SMHS is concerned, whenever they file a complaint regarding dogs inside the hospital, we immediately act upon it and catch the dogs,” he said.
The hospital administration has taken the issue to the notice of SMC. Dr Kaiser, Principal GMC told KP that he has conveyed the issue to the municipality and is hopeful to see changes in the coming days.
“I am really hopeful that they will get rid of the dogs from the hospital premises. Commissioner SMC has assured us required help,” said Dr Kaiser.
