The rising number of dog bite incidents in Karachi has emerged as a serious public safety concern, with even frontline workers involved in critical public health campaigns falling victim to the growing menace. In a disturbing incident reported on Saturday, a police officer assigned to protect polio workers was injured in a dog attack in Karachi’s Quaidabad area, highlighting the risks faced by those serving communities amid an uncontrolled stray dog population.
According to reports, the injured police official was deployed as part of security arrangements for an ongoing polio vaccination drive. The incident has renewed debate over the safety of health workers and law enforcement personnel operating in high-risk neighborhoods where stray dogs roam freely.
Police Officer Injured While on Polio Duty
Aftab Gohar, In-Charge of the Dog Bite Clinic at Indus Hospital, confirmed that the victim is a 21-year-old police constable who sustained “Grade 2” bite injuries. He was promptly brought to the hospital, where he was administered the anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) as a precautionary measure. Medical staff reported that his condition is stable and he remains under observation.
Gohar expressed serious concern over the recurring pattern of dog attacks during national immunization campaigns. He noted that health facilities frequently receive polio workers and their escorts seeking treatment for dog bites whenever such drives are launched. According to him, the situation has become alarmingly routine rather than exceptional.
Repeated Attacks on Polio Workers
The clinic in-charge revealed that polio workers have repeatedly been targeted by stray dogs over the past year. He recalled that a female polio worker was bitten in October last year, while another similar incident occurred earlier in Korangi, where a woman involved in vaccination activities was injured.
In total, two to three polio workers have recently suffered dog bite injuries, underscoring the vulnerability of field staff who already operate under challenging security conditions. These incidents have raised questions about preparedness and coordination between municipal authorities and health departments tasked with ensuring safe working environments.
Karachi Sees Alarming Spike in Dog Bite Cases
The Quaidabad incident comes amid a sharp rise in dog bite cases across Karachi. Medical sources report that nearly 4,000 dog bite cases were recorded in the city within a single month, a figure that has shocked public health officials. So far this year, at least two people have reportedly died due to complications arising from dog attacks.
Hospitals across Karachi continue to face heavy pressure, with dog bite clinics struggling to cope with the influx of patients requiring immediate vaccination and follow-up treatment. Doctors warn that delays in medical care significantly increase the risk of rabies, a disease that remains almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Stray Dog Attacks at Karachi University
The issue has also spilled into educational institutions. Earlier last year, stray dogs attacked two children within the premises of Karachi University, causing serious injuries. A five-year-old boy was mauled on the face by dogs, suffering severe facial wounds, while a young girl named Hoorain was bitten on the foot and injured.
Following the incidents, a medical officer formally wrote to the university administration, detailing the attacks and stressing the urgent need for action. The letter confirmed that the boy sustained facial injuries due to the dog attack, while Hoorain required medical treatment after being bitten by a stray dog.
Despite repeated warnings, concerns about stray dogs on campus have persisted. A few months ago, a first-year Food Science student reportedly fell and sustained head injuries after being frightened by stray dogs on university grounds, further fueling criticism over inadequate preventive measures.
Fatal Attacks Raise National Alarm
Beyond Karachi, dog attacks have also turned deadly in other parts of the country. In a tragic incident, an eight-year-old boy named Shehbaz was killed after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Basti Mardan. The child was reportedly on his way home when the attack occurred near the jurisdiction of the Ahmad Hor Lama police station. His body was later recovered from nearby fields, sparking outrage and grief among residents.
Such fatal incidents have intensified calls for immediate intervention at both provincial and federal levels, with citizens demanding effective policies to control stray dog populations and prevent further loss of life.
Nationwide Surge in Dog Bite Cases
The problem is not confined to a single city. According to sources at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Pakistan reported 7,815 dog bite cases nationwide in just one week. Public health experts warn that these figures reflect a broader systemic failure to manage stray animals and ensure access to timely rabies prevention.
Health officials stress that while vaccination campaigns are critical, long-term solutions such as sterilization programs, waste management, and coordinated municipal action are equally essential to curb the growing threat.
An Urgent Need for Coordinated Action
As Karachi and other cities grapple with rising dog bite incidents, the injury of a police officer protecting polio workers has underscored the severity of the crisis. Those working to protect public health are now themselves exposed to avoidable dangers, adding another layer of risk to already challenging assignments.
Experts and civil society groups continue to urge authorities to treat the issue as a public health emergency. Without swift and coordinated action, they warn, the combination of rising dog bite cases and limited preventive measures could pose long-term risks to public safety and disease control efforts across Pakistan
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