115 dog bite cases emerge in two weeks

Rising number of stray dogs roaming streets, suburbs of city creates fear among citizens

SAHIWAL: More than 115 cases of dog-bites have been reported in the city and surrounding areas in 14 days and victims and reportedly, the local administration continued to play the role of a silent spectator when it came to the issue of eliminating stray dogs from public spaces in the region.

The increasing number of stray dogs the streets and suburbs of the city has created fear among citizens. No local resident including women, children and the elderly are safe from dog attacks or dog-bites. A total of 115 patients were vaccinated at the DHQ.

The wave of panic in citizens is increasing and more patients and visitors are visiting the DHQ in regards to dog-bite cases. Patients arriving from urban areas at the DHQ are being given three vaccines in the hospital while people arriving from villages are being given one vaccine in the DHQ, followed by the instruction to obtain further vaccines in their respective local hospital.

Details obtained by The Express Tribune revealed that the patients appear to be in a miserable condition due to the unavailability of vaccines. Dr Nisar, a spokesman for the DHQ teaching hospital, said that about 200 dog bite cases were reported in the month of January alone and the victims, arriving at the hospital, were promptly vaccinated.

He further said one vaccine was given to those arriving from other areas and patients were instructed to obtain further vaccination from their respective area hospital.

There was no death reported from dog-bite cases, the spokesman added.

However, the district administration has not formulated any strategy regarding elimination of the stray dogs. Playing the role of a spectator, in this regard, the district administration is neglecting the issue and sending good reports to authorities concerned.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2020.