Srinagar: The growing presence of stray dogs outside schools across the Kashmir Valley has become a serious concern for parents, with reports suggesting that children feel unsafe and frightened while entering or leaving their institutions.
Parents from multiple districts said groups of dogs often gather near school gates during morning and afternoon hours, creating an atmosphere of fear among students, especially children. They said several schools have reported incidents where children hesitate to step out unaccompanied due to the rising number of stray dogs in the vicinity.
Teachers and school authorities said the problem intensifies during dispersal time when students leave in large groups, making it difficult for staff to manage both the crowd and the risk posed by the animals. Many parents have started accompanying their children to school, even if it means adjusting their work schedules.
Locals said the expanding stray dog population in urban and semi-urban areas has become a recurring concern, yet little groundwork has been done to control the situation around schools. They urged authorities to prioritise the safety of students and implement measures to tackle the issue in a sustained and humane manner.
Several school managements have reportedly written to concerned departments seeking intervention to ensure safe access for children, but concrete action remains awaited. [KNT]
