IT is unfortunate and disgusting to note that dog bite cases are increasing with a rapid pace and we are not able to find any workable solution or a strategy to curb this menace once and for all. In December 2023, the Provincial Technical Working Advisory Group (PTWAG) for rabies prevention was formed, which included experts and representatives of the Sindh government and I was its member. It was formed to find a practical solution, but it went nowhere.

Now, the situation is moving rapidly from bad to worse, but we are still entangled in a debate of culling or neutering dogs. According to media reports, the number of dog bites has seriously gone up in the last few weeks, which is an alarming situation indeed. The city mayor is on record having cate-gorically stated that culling is the only option. He obviously has his own arguments, but appears to have a disconnect with the ground realities. If we go for culling, the civic society, particularly local and global animal rights organisations, will raise a lot of noise. Probably for them, rabid stray dogs are more precious than human life.

We know rabies is a hundred per cent fatal disease. We also know that all dogs are not rabid, but it is difficult to know which one is or is not rabid. Every victim has to receive anti-rabies vaccine prophylactically, which is only possible, at least on paper, in the big cities, but not in small towns and rural areas. Anti-rabies vaccine is not easily available everywhere and some of the victims, as per our tragic traditions, even refuse to get it.

In my opinion, the only logical solution that is practical and non-controversial is to make safe sanctuaries outside the cities involving animal rights organisations/dog lovers and civil society. In the past, dog-catching vans used to lift dogs from the streets. The same can be done again. In this process, there will be no need to vaccinate the rabid animal. We need to neuter them, feed them and keep them happy at their new homes. With the passage of time, they will complete their natural lifespan and have a peaceful end. As far as pets are concerned, there should be a strict government policy to ban non-vaccinated animals in households.

Dr Mirza Ali Azhar
Ex-Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2026