Srinagar ;- Ishfaq Gowher
J&K Govt Orders ULBs to Secure Schools, Hospitals & Transport Hubs From Stray Dogs Within Two Weeks The Jammu and Kashmir Housing and Urban Development Department on Thursday issued a strong set of directives to all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), ordering them to identify, map, and secure high-risk public institutions against the entry of stray dogs. The department has given two weeks for the completion of the mapping process and 30 days for a full compliance report. The instructions were issued through a circular signed by Commissioner-Secretary Mandeep Kaur, following growing concerns over the presence of stray dogs in sensitive public spaces. The department has directed that all measures be aligned with Supreme Court guidelines on humane and effective stray dog management. Two-Week Mapping of Vulnerable Zones Under the new directive, all ULBs must carry out a detailed survey to identify government and private institutions including: Schools and colleges Hospitals and health centres Stadiums and sports facilities Bus stands, ISBTs and railway stations ULBs have been asked to classify these locations according to risk level, with special attention to areas frequented by children and patients. Institutions Ordered to Strengthen Security The circular mandates immediate structural upgrades to prevent stray dog entry. These include constructing or repairing boundary walls, installing functional gates, and closing off all access points. ULBs must assist these institutions and ensure they complete the required upgrades without delay. Departments have been asked to submit budget estimates by December 15, while district magistrates will review the progress every fortnight. Mandatory Quarterly Inspections Municipal authorities have also been instructed to conduct compulsory inspections once every three months around all mapped institutions. These inspections will check for potential stray dog habitats, food waste accumulation, and gaps in institutional boundaries. Humane Removal Under ABC Rules The department has reiterated that any removal of stray dogs must strictly follow the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules and other animal welfare laws. Cruel methods such as poisoning, beating, or illegal culling are strictly banned and will attract serious disciplinary action. The circular states that “the process of removal must be conducted with utmost humanity,” and directs ULBs to digitally record details of each stray dog that is picked up, sterilized, vaccinated, and released. 30-Day Compliance Report Mandatory The Commissioners of the Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations, along with the Directors of ULBs in the Jammu and Kashmir regions, must submit a detailed compliance report within 30 days. Any delay or failure to comply will result in disciplinary proceedings. This comprehensive directive marks one of the strongest pushes by the J&K government in recent years to address stray dog management in urban areas—particularly around schools, hospitals, and transport hubs where safety concerns are highest. change head line with string words
