Independent MLA moves bill seeking killing of stray dogs

An independent MLA has moved a private member's bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeking killing of stray dogs in the state in view of the canines mauling to death two children in Kupwara district earlier this month.
"I have brought a bill in the upcoming assembly session with respect to curbing the severe dog menace in the state," MLA from Langate Sheikh Abdul Rashid said.
"The bill entails empowering respective Municipal Corporations, Municipal committees in Urban areas and Village Panchayats in rural areas to kill stray dogs with the permission of concerned Tehsildars," he said.
The bill also includes a provision of providing Rs 10 lakh to the family of deceased humans as a result of dog bite and Rs five lakh to the injured, he said.

Rashid said he has brought the bill in the wake of "heart-rending" death of two minors at Lachipora in Handwara area of Kupwara district by dogs on March 9.
"Bringing this bill to curb menace of dogs has become all more important. We had brought street dogs in Civil Secretariat as a reaction to unabated dog menace few years back. As a result, Government at that time took measures which turned out more cosmetic than concrete in nature," he said.

Rashid said there was a need to frame such laws and find a middle ground that do not collide with Supreme Court directions on this important issue as curbing dog menace is a humanitarian issue.

The Independent MLA appealed all the political parties to rise above petty politics and support this important bill, having direct bearing on life and safety of common masses.
The stray dog population in Kashmir has risen significantly over the past two decades in view of ban on killing of the canines.
The government in 2012 launched a sterilisation drive of the dogs to control the burgeoning canine population but failed in the purpose due to lack of adequate facilities.