KARACHI: The rising number of stray dogs in the city has become a serious public safety concern, particularly for children, with over 26,000 dog bite cases and 21 rabies-related deaths reported across the city so far this year.
Stray dogs frequently chase and bark at pedestrians, particularly at night and early morning, creating fear and panic among residents.According to Dr Gohar Aftab of Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus alone has reported over 9,000 new dog bite cases this year, including nine rabies fatalities. He said that most victims who died had not received proper medical attention, relying instead on incomplete treatments or home remedies. “Once rabies symptoms appear, it is too late for treatment,” he said.
Dr Aftab advised that any dog bite victim should immediately wash the affected area with clean water and soap for at least 10-15 minute. This is a measure endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which reduces the chances of rabies by up to 40 per cent. He added that anti-rabies vaccination must be administered within the first week, and the earlier, the better.
Rabies symptoms typically appear six weeks to six months after infection. Early signs include headaches, anxiety, and restlessness, which escalate to hydrophobia (fear of water), sensitivity to sound, and ultimately lead to death within three to five days of symptom onset.
Though rabies is not transmitted from human to human, rare cases of transmission have been reported through organ transplants from infected donors.
WHO states that 95% of rabies cases worldwide result from dog bites, though the disease can also be transmitted by cats or monkeys.
Deputy In-charge at Jinnah Hospital revealed that the facility sees around 2,500 dog bite cases per month, with 17,500 cases reported in 2025 so far. He confirmed that 12 rabies deaths occurred in 2024, a number already matched in just the first eight months of 2025. He warned against practices in rural areas where bite wounds are stitched without proper cleaning. “There is no cure for rabies once symptoms start. The only protection is the anti-rabies vaccine, and once the infection sets in, even the best antibiotics or ventilators can not save the patient,” Dr Siddiqui stressed.
Vaccination is most effective within one week of the bite but can still be administered up to a month later. Areas such as Sohrab Goth, Landhi, Korangi, and the city’s outskirts report the highest case numbers, with a surge also seen in DHA during summer months. As temperatures drop, stray dogs tend to take shelter in residential neighborhoods and under parked vehicles.
Residents report that stray dog packs grow in number during the night, often chasing motorcyclists and attacking women heading to work or university in the morning. Children, too, live in fear, with some chased by dogs while playing in the streets. The continued lack of an effective, citywide response has left citizens frustrated and vulnerable.
There is a growing demand for the city administration to launch an urgent and humane stray dog control programme, alongside public awareness campaigns and guaranteed access to anti-rabies vaccines across all medical facilities.
News Published in Express Tribune on August 26, 2025.