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Kashmir suspends stray dog cull Kashmir suspends stray dog cull
(20 minutes later)
Municipal authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir have halted a programme to poison about 100,000 stray dogs in the city of Srinagar. Municipal authorities in Indian-run Kashmir have halted a programme to poison thousands of stray dogs in the city of Srinagar.
The move came after animal rights campaigners threatened court action on grounds of cruelty.The move came after animal rights campaigners threatened court action on grounds of cruelty.
Five hundred dogs had already been poisoned, but city officials say they will try a programme to sterilise the animals chemically instead.Five hundred dogs had already been poisoned, but city officials say they will try a programme to sterilise the animals chemically instead.
The cull was originally proposed to help eradicate the threat of rabies.The cull was originally proposed to help eradicate the threat of rabies.
'Nuisance''Nuisance'
Authorities had planned to poison the city's population of about 100,000 stray dogs with strychnine, health officials said. Authorities had planned to poison the city's population of stray dogs with strychnine, health officials said.
Early reports talked of a population of about 100,000 dogs but a BBC correspondent in Srinagar says the figure is actually about 2,000.
"These dogs have become a big nuisance and they are threatening humans," said city health officer Dr Riyaz Ahmad, according to Associated Press."These dogs have become a big nuisance and they are threatening humans," said city health officer Dr Riyaz Ahmad, according to Associated Press.
But animal rights activists called the move cruel, pointing out that not every dog carries rabies.But animal rights activists called the move cruel, pointing out that not every dog carries rabies.
They also argued the move was illegal, and had threatened to take the matter to court.They also argued the move was illegal, and had threatened to take the matter to court.
On Friday, officials said the programme had been cancelled.On Friday, officials said the programme had been cancelled.
"We're not going ahead with this poisoning, not at all," said Syed Haq Nawaz, a municipal official, according to AP."We're not going ahead with this poisoning, not at all," said Syed Haq Nawaz, a municipal official, according to AP.
He said local officials would work with animal welfare groups and federal environment officials to plan a programme of chemical sterilisation.He said local officials would work with animal welfare groups and federal environment officials to plan a programme of chemical sterilisation.
Rabies is a common and growing problem in many of India's cities.Rabies is a common and growing problem in many of India's cities.
Of the 35,000 people estimated to die from rabies worldwide every year, 60% are in India. India accounts for about half of the world's 55,000 deaths from rabies each year.