RAHIM YAR KHAN/BAHAWALPUR: A pack of rabid stray dogs attacked and injured eight people in the Baet Diwan area of Union Council Ahmed Ali Lar on Thursday, sparking a widespread panic and raising serious questions regarding the transparency of public funds allocated for animal control.

According to local residents, the victims include Muhammad Saqib (14), Lal Mai (70), Muhammad Khizar (25), Dilshad (25), Maqsood (60) and Umrana Bibi (25).

All victims were rushed to nearby health facilities and the THQ Hospital, Liaquatpur, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.

Locals reported that the outbreak began when a rabid dog bit several others, creating a pack of infected animals who carried out multiple attacks across the neighbourhood.

Following the attacks, a fear has gripped the community and parents expressed concern for their children’s safety, and many residents were seen patrolling the streets with sticks to defend themselves.

Villagers alleged that while millions of rupees have been released to tehsil and union councils for stray dog elimination, there is little evidence of this work on the ground.

Official data claims thousands of dogs are culled daily, but the reality is very different.

One resident said: “It seems these efforts are largely limited to paperwork.”

Residents have urged the Rahim Yar Khan deputy commissioner (DC) to dispatch emergency response teams to secure the area and order a transparent investigation into the funds allocated for dog control campaigns.

Sources said the DC has dispatched dog-elimination teams to the area which are now coordinating with locals. Meanwhile, Lodhran Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ashraf has suspended two officials of the Dunyapur Municipal Committee (MC) from service and ordered an inquiry into the death of a three-year old girl, who was allegedly mauled on Wednesday by a pack of stray dogs.

The DC appointed the Dunyapur assistant commissioner as inquiry officer, directing him to fix responsibility for the girl’s death in his report.

According to official sources, the DC suspended the MC’s sanitary supervisor and halqa patwari from service.

Three-year-old Kinza was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs. Her parents have declined any police action.Meanwhile, the girl was laid to rest in the local graveyard on Thursday after her funeral prayers.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2026