Negligence of authorities and people who feed stray dogs are the main reasons for the increase in cases
KARACHI:
A total of 19 lives were lost in dog bite incidents in Karachi, while at least 29,000 dog bite cases have been reported in the metropolis so far in 2025.
Areas like Landhi, Korangi, DHA, Mehmoodabad, Orangi Town and Malir have witnessed a rise in stray dog populations. Residents complain that attacks have become routine, forcing them to live in constant fear.
Medical experts warn that rabies, once symptoms appear, is incurable. Early signs include headaches and anxiety, but as the disease progresses, patients develop hydrophobia (fear of water) and aerophobia (fear of air and sound). At this stage, survival becomes impossible.
Doctors attribute the uncontrolled breeding of stray dogs to Karachi’s overflowing garbage dumps, which provide food and shelter to the animals. Without proper waste management, the city has inadvertently created a breeding ground for this growing menace.
Hospitals overwhelmed
Major hospitals in Karachi are struggling to cope with the influx of dog bite victims. Almost 150 cases of dog bites are reported daily at Indus Hospital.
Since January, the hospital has treated more than 16,000 cases, and eight patients succumbed to rabies. Likewise, Jinnah Hospital has recorded almost 13,000 cases this year, with 11 deaths.
Hospital administrators confirm that around 100 cases arrive daily, from new bites to follow-up treatments.
Dr Muhammad Aftab Gohar, director of the Rabies Prevention Clinic at Indus Hospital, explained that rabies cases are increasing every year.
“If saliva from a rabid dog enters the bloodstream through a bite, the virus travels through the nervous system to the brain. Symptoms can appear within six weeks to six months,” he said. Once hydrophobia and aerophobia appear, there is no treatment anywhere in the world.
WHO guidelines and preventive measures
According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the first and most important step after a dog bite is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and pour clean water over the wound for at least 10 minutes.
Depending on the severity, patients should receive anti-rabies vaccines. For moderate risk cases, a complete vaccination cycle is administered on the first, third, seventh and fourteenth day.
In severe cases, rabies immunoglobulin is injected directly into and around the wound to provide immediate protection.
Dr. Gohar emphasized that timely completion of these steps ensures 100 percent protection against rabies. However, he lamented that many patients rely on home remedies or receive incomplete treatment in smaller clinics, often leading to fatal results.
He recalled a shocking incident on December 15 at Jumma Goth near Korangi where a single mad dog mauled 17 people in a day. The number of victims later increased to 28, as more residents reported attacks by the same dog.
“Mad dogs become aggressive and attack indiscriminately: humans, animals or other moving objects such as vehicles.
Hostage of stray dogs
For Karachi residents, everyday life has become a struggle. Women report being chased by dogs, while domestic workers are often attacked on their way home. Children searching for food or snacks are chased by stray dogs until they drop their belongings and run away in panic.
The night game has become a nightmare, with dogs attacking cyclists, motorcyclists and young players. Parents often rush to shoo away the animals while terrified children scream and get the attention of passersby and ask for help.
Residents said they have tried to relocate the stray dogs several times, but the animals return. Many are demanding that the government establish proper shelters to house stray dogs. However, the situation is complicated because locals feed stray dogs, encouraging them to permanently settle in certain neighborhoods.
“They have made our streets their sanctuary and we feel like prisoners in our own homes,” complained one resident.
The crisis highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts between healthcare providers, municipal authorities and communities. Experts insist that vaccination, awareness and responsible waste management are key to controlling the threat. Until then, the citizens of Karachi remain trapped in fear and stray dogs turn everyday life into a dangerous gamble.
