A pack of stray dogs chasing a senior journalist at Srinagar’s Press Colony, causing him to fall and sustain injuries, is a symptom of a larger governance failure that has turned the workplace of those who inform the public into a zone of fear. When journalists, whose profession demands they be the watchdogs of society, find themselves being hunted by stray dogs, the irony is impossible to ignore. The fact that a photojournalist had to enter his office through the back door to avoid the dogs is a telling commentary on the state of affairs. The workplace, which should be a sanctuary for professionals, has become a place where employees must run for their lives to enter. The stray dog menace in Press Colony is not a new problem. It has been festering for years, with repeated complaints from journalists and other employees falling on deaf ears. Last week, a correspondent was bitten near the same area. The problem is not being addressed, and the situation is deteriorating. The Srinagar Municipal Corporation’s admission that its Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme has been affected due to outsourcing issues is revealing. How long must citizens wait while the administration sorts out its contractual matters? Meanwhile, the dogs continue to multiply, and the danger continues to escalate. This is not about blaming stray dogs. They are animals acting on instinct. The fault lies with the system that has failed to manage the population humanely and effectively. The ABC programme must be restored immediately. Sterilisation drives, vaccination, and responsible relocation efforts are not optional; they are essential. The Press Colony incident should serve as a wake-up call. If journalists cannot even safely enter their offices, what message does that send about the state of public safety in Srinagar? The authorities must act now, not when the next victim is bitten or worse. The solution is not a temporary fix but a sustained, well-funded, and scientifically managed programme to address the stray dog problem. Our journalists deserve to work without fear, just as every citizen deserves to live without fear.
