Karachi's airport struggling with stray dog issue

CAA accused of negligence as dogs disrupt passenger vehicles.

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Karachi's Jinnah International Airport is grappling with an escalating stray dog problem, with reports of dogs now roaming near the airport’s main entrances, exits, and parking areas.

According to sources, stray dogs were initially confined to the tarmac and general aviation areas. However, their presence has expanded to critical passenger zones, raising serious safety concerns, Express News reported.

Passengers have reported incidents of dogs attacking vehicles and creating chaos near the terminal.

“The situation worsens at night when the internal parking lot becomes a haven for stray dogs,” an airport official stated.

Karachi Airport Authority has reportedly reached out to Edhi officials for assistance in controlling the issue.

The presence of stray dogs on airport premises violates international civil aviation safety standards, potentially endangering flight operations and passenger safety.

Efforts to curb the problem have so far been inadequate, leaving travellers increasingly frustrated. Airport officials are being urged to take immediate and effective measures to resolve the crisis.

Moreover, the district government has culled 52 stray and rabid dogs in the city and cantonment areas of Rawalpindi in the last 24 hours.

Following a surge in the incidents of stray and rabid dogs biting people across the city, Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema issued strict orders to begin a city-wide dog culling operation with a week deadline.

In the past week alone, 64 cases of dog bites have been reported across various parts of the city, with four to five cases reported daily in local hospitals. In response, the Civil Defence Department has formed teams, led by uniformed volunteers, along with members of municipal corporations and committees. The police are also involved in responding to public reports of stray and rabid dogs in various areas.

With the launch of this campaign, the District Officer of Civil Defence has issued a warning to the residents to put leashes on their pet dogs immediately. Any dog found without a leash will be culled, it is further warned.

Within the first 24 hours of the operation, 52 dogs have been killed in areas including Dhoke Haso, Dhoke Ratta, Hazara Colony, Ratta Amral, Fauj Colony, and Pirwadhai.