GILGIT: Despite the culling of more than 3,600 stray dogs in the Gilgit region, dog bite incidents continue unabated, sparking public outrage and raising concerns over the effectiveness of the local administration’s measures.
To date, 15 people have tragically lost their lives, and over 100 others have been injured due to dog attacks in the area.
On Friday, two more people lost their lives due to dog bites, bringing the death toll from these attacks to 15. In addition to the fatalities, six more individuals were injured in the latest wave of attacks, further intensifying public anger.
Residents of Gilgit are growing increasingly frustrated with the administration, criticizing the culling strategy for failing to prevent further attacks. “We are losing lives every day, and the situation is not improving,” said Asif Khan, a local resident of Danyore. “More needs to be done, and we can’t wait for another tragedy to strike.”
Meanwhile, authorities have intensified the dog culling campaign, with dozens of dogs killed on Friday night.
Public outrage remains high, as residents demand more comprehensive and effective measures from local authorities.
In Danyore, the Youth and Civil Society of the region held a press briefing, issuing a stern warning to the government and relevant authorities. They criticized the administration for its failure to protect human lives and threatened mass protests if immediate steps are not taken to control the situation. The society attributed the recent attacks to government negligence and demanded financial assistance of Rs5 million for the families of those who have lost their lives to dog attacks.
11 killed in Parachinar tribal feud
“The attacks by rabid dogs are causing irreparable loss of lives, and the government’s apathy is evident,” stated a representative of the society. They urged the authorities to ensure free and immediate medical treatment for the injured and implement effective measures to prevent future incidents. They also demanded that an emergency be declared in Gilgit district, with urgent steps taken to control the stray dog population. The society also criticized NGOs operating in the area, accusing them of collecting funds under various pretexts without addressing the critical issue.
On the occasion, a unanimous resolution was passed, calling on the provincial government, health department, livestock, wildlife, and local authorities to take immediate action. The resolution expressed deep regret over the deaths caused by rabid dog bites, not only in Gilgit-Baltistan but across other regions of the country.
They also demanded the establishment of emergency centers in hospitals at the provincial level and ensuring the availability of complete courses and vaccines for dog bite treatments. Society members also raised concerns about the rising risk of other diseases due to the presence of stray dogs in the area and called for their immediate removal and the proper burial of dead animals to prevent further health hazards.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Haji Gulbar Khan, has taken strict notice of the situation. He directed the Chief Secretary to take immediate action under existing laws to cull stray dogs in order to ensure the safety of human lives. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for urgent, emergency measures to control the situation.
He also instructed the Secretary of Health to ensure the availability of anti-rabies injections across the region to provide prompt treatment to victims.