Dog bite incidents on the rise in Hyderabad

Over 7,500 cases reported during the last year

Listen to article

HYDERABAD:

There has been no reduction in dog bite incidents in Hyderabad. Last year, more than 7,500 people became victims of dog bites, but neither has any campaign been launched to eradicate stray dogs in the city nor has a plan been devised to convert them into safe animals.

Despite the increase in dog bite incidents and the huge amount of money received every month, municipal bodies at all levels have remained silent on this issue, due to which their number has significantly increased in the city, which is worrying the citizens.

According to details, every day, numerous men, women, and children fall victim to dog attacks in various parts of the district, requiring treatment at government hospitals. These dogs have become a symbol of fear. Neither the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation nor the Town Municipal Corporations has launched any campaigns to tackle the issue.

Consequently, number of stray dogs has increased throughout the district. These dogs often attack residents early in the morning and at night, leading motorcyclists to accelerate to avoid them, which in turn causes accidents.

Every year, dog bite incidents in Hyderabad increase. As per obtained data , in the month of January last year, 708 cases were reported, in February 761, March 749, April 615, May 638, June 551, July 518, August 577, September 585, October 576, November 629 and in the month of December, 691 citizens were taken to the hospital after falling victim to dog bites, majority of them were children while playing outside their homes or going to school in the morning.

The Health Department lacks records of how many victims of dog bites sought treatment at government hospitals in the district.

In the past, animal rights organisations objected to the killing of stray dogs, prompting the Sindh government's Local Government Department to announce a programme in November 2019 called "Fight Against Rabies and Population Control of Street Dogs" with a budget of Rs900 million. This programme, initiated in Karachi's central district, was intended to expand to other districts of the province.

The programme aimed to vaccinate stray dogs against rabies in its first phase. In the second phase, sterilization and release of these dogs were planned. Additionally, 64 of the 200 government veterinary clinics in Sindh were to be upgraded to ensure vaccination and sterilization efforts. Vaccinating dogs was intended to prevent the transmission of the rabies virus to humans in case of dog bites.

However, five years after its announcement, this programme has yet to be implemented in Hyderabad district. Meanwhile, the Sindh government allocates significant monthly funds to the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Town Corporation, and local councils for municipal operations.

Yet, none of these local government bodies have undertaken any measures to eradicate stray dogs, curb their population, or vaccinate them. As a result, these dogs can be seen roaming freely across the city, posing a continuous threat to residents.