Srinagar, Aug 6 : Jammu and Kashmir recorded five human rabies deaths in 2024, marking a rise from four in 2023 and none in 2022, according to official data presented in the Indian Parliament.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying attributed the fatalities to the increasing menace of stray dogs, a concern not limited to J&K but prevalent across several states.
The Central government stated that under Article 243(W) of the Constitution, the responsibility for managing stray dog populations lies with local urban bodies. Municipalities are tasked with implementing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, which involves neutering stray dogs and administering anti-rabies vaccinations.
In light of the growing threat, the Centre issued advisories to all states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, in November 2024 and again in July 2025. These advisories urged authorities to strengthen ABC implementation and develop the necessary infrastructure to manage the stray dog population more effectively.
The rising rabies deaths have once again highlighted the need for urgent and coordinated action to tackle the issue of stray dog attacks across the region. [KNT]