New ABC Centre at Ahal Chatterhama to Boost Street Dog Sterilization and Vaccination Capacity Tenfold
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar:DD, In a detailed response to a question raised by MLA Mubarik Gul, the government informed the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly about the district-wise status of dog-bite cases and measures taken to control the menace of stray dogs across the Union Territory.
According to the reply as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, a total of 2,12,968 dog-bite cases were reported in J&K between 2022 and 2025. During the period from June 2023 to September 2025, a total of 48,998 stray dogs were sterilized and vaccinated as part of the Animal Birth Control and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ABC-ARV) programme.
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has been spearheading the drive with year-round operations at its ABC Centres.
Tengpora ABC Centre: Capacity of 45–50 sterilizations/immunizations per day; equipped with 52 post-operative kennels, 12 community kennels, and 7 quarantine kennels.
SKUAST-K Shahama Centre: Capacity of 15–20 sterilizations/immunizations per day; with 30 post-operative and 20 community kennels (3 designated for quarantine).
Ahal Chatterhama Centre: Currently under final stages of construction; will have capacity for over 60 sterilizations/immunizations per day (~1800 per month) with 60 kennels, including 4 for quarantine.
“With the establishment of the third ABC Centre at Ahal Chatterhama, the capacity to sterilize and vaccinate street dogs within Srinagar will increase tenfold,” the statement noted.
SMC has also been conducting public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on safety measures, dog adoption, and prevention of dog bites. Approximately 25,000 posters have been distributed across wards, jingles are broadcasted via public address systems on waste collection vehicles, and hoardings are being installed in ABC programme areas. Advisory guidelines on dos and don’ts to avoid dog bites have also been widely disseminated.
Furthermore, the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir, is in the process of establishing ABC Centres in all nine districts of the Kashmir division, with land identified in Baramulla, Kulgam, and Sumbal for the first phase.
“All past drives have successfully achieved their targets, and no failure has been noticed in curbing the dog menace,” the government added.
The initiative is being carried out in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Board of India, ensuring comprehensive sterilization, immunization, and public safety across the Union Territory. (KNC)
