Sindh grappled with a major public safety crisis in 2024 as stray dog attacks injured 300,000 people across the province.
Reports indicated that 15 individuals succumbed to severe dog bites, with Karachi emerging as the most affected city, recording over 50,000 cases and 18 fatalities linked to these attacks.
Experts criticized the provincial government for failing to take substantial measures to control the stray dog population after a 2018 pilot project focused on vaccination and sterilization. No follow-up initiatives were implemented, exacerbating the issue as incidents continued to rise.
Medical professionals, including Aftab Gauhar, in charge of the Dog Bite Clinic, and Dr. Romana Farhat, an anti-rabies specialist, highlighted the urgent need for vaccination campaigns and effective dog control measures.
They pointed to the alarming shortage of anti-rabies vaccines in most district hospitals, forcing patients to seek treatment in Karachi.
Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho stated that controlling stray dogs was the responsibility of municipal authorities. However, the lack of action led to mounting frustrations among citizens. Karachi residents urged the government to ensure vaccine availability and launch effective dog culling and control operations to protect public safety.
