The growing stray dog population in Karachi has claimed two lives this year, with a young man currently fighting for his life after being bitten, health officials said on Tuesday.
According to hospital authorities, more than 5,000 dog bite cases have been reported across the city’s five major hospitals this year. Three people have already fallen victim to rabies, a deadly disease caused by dog bites.
The most recent fatality, a 42-year-old man from Gulshan-e-Maymar, succumbed to rabies despite receiving treatment, said Dr. Arnan, in-charge of Emergency Services.
Health officials urged the public to exercise caution around stray dogs. Dr. Irfan emphasized that anyone bitten must immediately get vaccinated to prevent the onset of rabies.
The Indus Hospital has reported the highest number of dog bite cases this year, with 1,800 incidents, highlighting the scale of the crisis. Authorities warned that the rising number of stray dogs poses a serious public health risk and called for urgent measures to protect citizens.