By: Salman Yousafzai
PESHAWAR: Stray dogs continue to pose a growing threat across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where more than 87,000 people have fallen victim to dog bites this year so far in 2015, according to official data from the provincial health department.
According to data provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, 87,364 people have been bitten by dogs across the province as of October this year. This figure represents a 45 per cent increase compared to the previous year, when 60,223 people were bitten by stray dogs.
The highest number of incidents has been reported in Mardan, Swat, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, and Lower Dir. In Mardan alone, cases rose dramatically from 6,528 to 13,328 within a year. Additionally, 7,274 people have been bitten by stray dogs in Lakki Marwat, 7,335 in Swat, and 5,270 in Kohat.
The situation is also concerning in Peshawar, where 4,558 people have reported dog bites. Although the number of cases remains relatively low in northern districts such as Chitral, Kohistan, and Kulai Pals, an increase has been observed in nearly all districts across the province.
Citizens of Peshawar express that the growing number of stray dogs in the city has instilled fear in the community. Parents are particularly worried for their children and women who must navigate narrow streets on their way to school. Concerns are further exacerbated by the shortage of vaccines available in hospitals for those bitten by dogs.
Residents believe that government negligence and the incompetence of local authorities have contributed to the severity of the situation. Many are now frightened to leave their homes due to the threat of attacks by stray dogs, which can also spread dangerous diseases like rabies.
Recent data indicate that the issue of stray dogs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has escalated into a serious public health crisis. Citizens urge the government to take immediate and effective measures to address this dangerous situation; otherwise, conditions may worsen in the coming months.
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