PMA calls for crackdown on stray dogs as rabies threat grows in Punjab

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has raised serious concerns over the alarming rise in stray and rabid dog incidents across Punjab, urging the provincial government to take immediate action to avert a looming public health crisis, 24NewsHD TV reported on Friday. 

PMA Lahore chapter President Dr Shahid Malik has called on the Punjab government to launch a province-wide crackdown against stray and rabid dogs, stressing that the situation has become “extremely alarming and unacceptable.

” He demanded that deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners in every district be made legally bound to ensure the immediate elimination of rabid dogs.

Dr Malik noted that thousands of citizens have fallen victim to dog bite incidents over the past few months, while several confirmed cases of rabies have also emerged, resulting in the tragic loss of precious human lives.

“Rabies is a preventable disease, yet people are dying due to administrative negligence and delayed action,” he said.

The PMA Lahore chapter emphasized that the complete eradication of rabies in Punjab must be treated as a top priority.

According to the association, the growing number of dog bite cases and rabies-related deaths has placed a serious question mark on the performance and preparedness of the provincial authorities.