LOWER DIR: The increasing number of stray dogs in different parts of Lower Dir has emerged as a serious public safety and health concern, with residents urging authorities to introduce a comprehensive strategy to address the issue.
Residents told Dawn on Sunday that packs of stray dogs were commonly seen near garbage dumps, hotels, markets and residential areas in Samar Bagh, Chakdara, Talash, Timergara, Maidan and other localities.
The situation has become particularly worrying for students and pedestrians, who often face safety risks while travelling to schools, colleges and workplaces.
Official figures show that more than 1,200 dog-bite cases were reported across the district last year. However, residents believe the actual number may be considerably higher as many incidents go unreported.
While anti-rabies vaccines were administered to a large number of victims, citizens complain that government health facilities frequently face vaccine shortages, forcing many families to seek costly treatment from private clinics.
Locals say repeated complaints have been made to the administration and municipal authorities, but no long-term policy has yet been introduced to control the growing stray dog population.
They point out that there is no dedicated response team or district-level programme for sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs.
Residents note that while poisoning campaigns used in the past have largely been discontinued, alternative population-control measures have not been implemented effectively.
They argue that authorities should adopt scientific and humane approaches recommended by health experts.
Citizens have demanded a district-wide survey of stray dogs, a permanent sterilisation and vaccination programme, trained response teams for dealing with rabid animals, uninterrupted availability of anti-rabies vaccines and improved waste management systems to reduce food sources attracting stray dogs.
They say the issue directly affects public health and the safety of children and students and requires coordinated action by the district administration, municipal authorities, health department and livestock officials.
Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2026
