Follow Us on Google News
KARACHI: The menace of stray dogs is assuming an alarming proportion in various localities of the city, giving rise to dog-bite cases and creating a frightening atmosphere on roads and streets.
According to details, the population of stray dogs has increased to such an extent that even busy commercial areas and bus stops are not immune from this menace.
People returning home after performing night duty and those visiting their local mosques — particularly during Isha and Fajr prayers — suffer the most, as stray dogs not only keep on barking, but in some cases rush towards them.
Complaints of dogs roaming on roads and streets have been received from most localities, including Soldier Baazar, Patel Para, Kharadar, Lines Area, Burnes Road, Sharea Liaquat, Korangi, Orangi, Baldia, Saddar, PIB Colony, Hyderabad Colony, Liaquatabad, Keamari, Jehangir Road, PECHS Block 2 and Jehangir Road.
In 2020, as many as 150,000 dog-bite cases were registered at hospitals across the province from January 1 to September 30, data released by the Sindh Health Department revealed.
Karachi saw the highest number of dog-bite cases, numbering at 17,800. Of all the cases registered in Karachi, 8,000 were reported at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
The concerned authorities have not kaen any action despite several complaints from the citizens. In 2020, the local government launched a campaign to train staff to catch, vaccinate and sterilise dogs to curb the local stray dog population. However, due to some measures, the campaign has come to a complete halt.
