Stray dogs rule the roost in Pindi
PHOTO: MEHMOOD QURESHI/EXPRESS
Inadequate efforts on the part of relevant authorities have caused the stray dog population in Rawalpindi to proliferate disproportionately, creating safety concerns among citizens.
In 2023 alone, 1,021 citizens ended up in the city’s hospitals after being mauled by the canine species.
According to official data, the number of dog bite victims brought to the Benazir Bhutto General Hospital in just one particular month of the previous was 482. Similarly, 334 people ended up in the Holy Family Hospital while the Rawalpindi District Headquarters Hospital treated 176 dog bite victims.
The startling statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to curb the burgeoning stray dog population and ensure the safety of the city’s inhabitants.
Stray dogs roaming the streets at night target citizens coming from offices or those engaged in nocturnal activities.
The increase in such incidents has prompted hospital administrations to equip healthcare facilities with the required medication and vaccines for dog bites.
Read Citizens urged to take action after dog bite
Sources at various city hospitals said currently, all three hospitals have adequate vaccines against rabies. However, since the pre-monsoon season is about to start in the next couple of months, citizens should now take care of themselves from dog attacks because dog bite wounds do not heal quickly during the rainy season.
On the other hand, officials of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board and the Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation said operations are being conducted against stray dogs. Earlier, firing squads were scheduled to target the furry creatures but now poisoning is the weapon of choice.
However, animal rights activists fear that such actions not only create an imbalance in the ecosystem but also kill harmless creatures that feast on the carcasses of the poisoned animals.
The situation demands a comprehensive approach that not only addresses the safety concerns of residents but also considers the potential ecological impact of the methods employed to control the stray dog population.
Balancing the need for public safety with ethical and ecological considerations is crucial for devising a sustainable solution to this problem in the garrison city.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2024