PMA calls for urgent action as dog-bite cases surge in Sindh

Association cites 285,000 cases reported in 2025 and 21 deaths this year; proposes vaccination and population control, with culling as a last resort, and seeks compensation for dog-bite victims and their families.


IV Report

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Karachi, has called for urgent measures to control the rising incidence of dog bites and rabies deaths in Sindh, including, as a last resort, “peaceful culling” of stray dogs.

At a press conference on Monday, PMA office-bearers cited 285,000 dog-bite cases reported in Sindh during 2025 and 83,000 cases in the first quarter of 2026, besides 21 deaths reported this year. The figures were presented by the association and were not stated as an official government position.

PMA Karachi President Dr M Ismail Memon, Senior Vice-President Dr Altaf Hussain Khatri and focal person on dog bites Dr Mirza Azhar Ali said the situation required immediate action, particularly to protect poor families, children and women who were disproportionately affected by the consequences of dog bites.

The association said its preferred approach was to catch, isolate, vaccinate and neuter stray dogs, but argued that such a programme would require substantial financial resources, infrastructure and sustained implementation. It questioned who would fund such a comprehensive programme in a country already facing resource constraints.

PMA also pointed to the importance of dog vaccination in preventing rabies. It cited the United States as an example, saying only six rabies-related deaths were reported there in 2025 despite around 28,500 dog-bite cases, attributing the low mortality in part to vaccination of dogs. It also referred to Bhutan, which it said was declared rabies-free by the World Health Organisation on September 4, 2026.

Dr Mirza Azhar Ali said the burden of a dog bite extended beyond the physical injury, pointing to the trauma, fear and financial pressures faced by affected families. He said every dog was not rabid, but the treatment process and psychological distress following a bite could nevertheless be severe. He also cautioned that the actual number of cases could be higher than the figures available.

PMA maintained that the government had so far failed to develop and implement an effective, comprehensive policy for controlling the stray-dog population and preventing dog bites. It said the provincial government bore the primary responsibility for addressing the issue, while the association could provide technical advice and guidance.

The association said that if an adequately funded programme of vaccination, isolation and population control could not be immediately implemented, the authorities should consider what it described as the “peaceful culling” of stray dogs as an emergency measure.

Calling for a “zero tolerance” approach to dog bites, PMA said funds spent on treating rabies should instead be directed towards prevention and control of dog bites.

It also demanded compensation of Rs10 million for families of people dying from rabies and Rs1 million to Rs3 million for dog-bite victims, depending on the severity of their injuries.

Illustration: AI-generated

PC photo courtesy: PMA

 

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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