RAWALPINDI, Jan 02 (APP/DNA): Punjab's health services department has issued directive to all local governments and district health authorities to take measures for the growing problem of stray dogs and dog bite incidents across the province.In an official letter by the Directorate General of General Health Services stressed that administrators of local bodies must take immediate action against stray dog populations and ensure proper disposal of animal carcasses to prevent environmental pollution and health risks.
The letter also reminded health departments of their specific role in dog bite management; ensuring uninterrupted supply of Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) at designated treatment centres, providing prompt post-exposure prophylaxis, and uploading complete data of every treated dog bite case to the provincial DHIS-II dashboard for real-time monitoring.
District Health Authorities have been directed to coordinate closely with district administrations and local governments to ensure a unified response. The Directorate described the matter as being of “critical public health importance” and urged that it must be treated with the “highest priority.”
The instructions come amid persistent public complaints about stray dog attacks in urban and rural areas of Punjab, where hundreds of dog bite cases are reported every month. Health officials have repeatedly warned that timely vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent rabies, a near-100% fatal disease once symptoms appear.
Provincial authorities have in recent years promoted capture-neuter-vaccinate-release (CNVR) programmes in major cities, but implementation has been uneven, with many neighbourhoods still facing unchecked stray dog populations.
The letter reinforced existing legal obligations and earlier instructions issued by the Chief Minister’s Office and the Local Government Department.
