In a recent session at the Sindh High Court, concerning petitions on the alarming issue of stray dog attacks and related fatalities, Tariq Mansoor Advocate revealed startling statistics regarding the scale of the problem. According to Advocate Tariq Mansoor, in the year 2022, a staggering 200,000 citizens across the province fell victim to stray dog bites, with Karachi alone accounting for 26,000 of these incidents.
The court session, which focused on addressing the concerns related to the proliferation of stray dogs, called upon the Secretary of Local Government and the Project Director of the Anti-Rabies Control Program for insights and actions.
One of the primary contentions raised during the hearing was the alleged lack of implementation of laws aimed at curbing dog breeding. The court had previously ordered the provision of anti-rabies vaccines in 34 government hospitals, yet the petitioner lamented that this directive remains unfulfilled, leaving citizens vulnerable to the threat of rabies.
A tragic incident was cited in the court where a husband and wife met with a fatal traffic accident while attempting to evade stray dogs. The unfortunate occurrence prompted Justice Irfan Saadat Khan to question the accountability surrounding dog control measures, urging responsible parties to step up.
In response, the government’s representative acknowledged the secretary of the local government and its sub-departments as the entities accountable for managing the stray dog issue.
As a step toward addressing the issue, the court has set a deadline for parties involved to submit a comprehensive report by September 17. In addition, a proposal to employ rubber bullets to target aggressive dogs was discussed, but ultimately the court decided to dispose of this request.
Abdullah Naqvi Advocate highlighted that the Supreme Court had already issued a directive to cease dog breeding activities, and given this, further legal proceedings on the matter might not be pursued in the Sindh High Court.
The proceedings underscore the urgent need for cohesive efforts to address the menace of stray dogs and ensure the safety and well-being of citizens across the province, emphasizing the significance of effective dog control measures and timely provision of necessary medical interventions.
