MARDAN: The growing population of stray dogs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan district has become a source of increasing concern for residents, with recurring dog bite incidents raising fears over public safety.
Residents say the number of stray dogs has continued to rise across various neighbourhoods, while effective measures to control the population remain lacking.
They also expressed concern over occasional shortages of anti-rabies vaccines at public hospitals, which they say create difficulties for dog bite victims seeking timely treatment.
Citizens have urged the district administration to launch a dedicated campaign to control the stray dog population, ensure the uninterrupted availability of anti-rabies vaccines at government healthcare facilities and strengthen safety measures in residential areas.
According to the Health Department, the District Health Officer (DHO) Office in Mardan provides anti-rabies vaccines to around 1,200 people every month, while the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Mardan administers post-exposure vaccinations to more than 2,000 dog bite victims each month.
Health officials said medical treatment and preventive vaccination are being provided to affected individuals, adding that the situation is being monitored continuously.
Medical experts advise that anyone bitten by a dog should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water before seeking prompt medical attention to receive anti-rabies vaccination and prevent potentially fatal complications.
Residents have called on the district administration and relevant authorities to take practical steps to control the stray dog population and prevent future incidents.
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