Srinagar, Nov 03 (KNS): Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation Athar Amir Khan Friday said that ongoing dog sterilization process is a "huge success" and the first phase of the sterilization process has been completed.

"I would say the ongoing dog sterilization exercise is a huge success. The SMC is carrying out the process from last three months vigorously. The first phase of the process has been completed in 8 to 9 wards in Srinagar," Commissioner SMC Athar Amir Khan as per KNS said.

He said in the initial phase resentment from public quarters came to fore after some miscreants allege SMC of dropping dogs of one locality to another. "Earlier when we were freeing and rehabilitating dogs to their respective areas some miscreants were misleading people that SMC teams are freeing dogs of one area to another one, which however was untrue. But with the passage of time people realised the facts and showed utmost cooperation with SMC," he said.

He added dogs who are being lifted for sterilization process are being rehabilitated to their respective areas after proper sterilization and vaccination. "We are sterilizing as well as vaccinating dogs from last three months. The process has been accelerated and 10 to 20 percent dogs have been sterilized so far" he added,

He also added that complete sterilization will take enough time and we have to go a long way to deal with the rising population of canines in Srinagar.

To a query he said, as winters are approaching the dog sterilization process will see decline as it needs adequate temperature post-sterilization to contain the mortality rate.

It is pertinent to mention that several areas of Srinagar district have seen alarming population of dogs who pose grave threat to the movement of pedestrians especially children and elders. Locals of these areas have repeatedly requested authorities to take tangible measure in stopping the rising number of canines. (KNS)