Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has called for stronger and more effective measures to tackle the growing problem of stray dog attacks in the city, stressing that neutering alone cannot provide a complete solution to the issue.
The mayor highlighted the seriousness of the situation, noting that authorities have received complaints about dog-bite incidents involving men, women and elderly residents. He emphasized that the increasing concerns require an effective strategy rather than shifting responsibility between government departments and other institutions.
Speaking about the issue, Wahab said that authorities must take practical steps to protect citizens while addressing the growing stray dog population. He maintained that relying exclusively on neutering programmes would not be sufficient to control the problem.
The mayor’s remarks have brought renewed attention to public safety concerns in Karachi, where residents have repeatedly raised questions about stray dogs in residential neighbourhoods, streets and public spaces.
Dog attacks can create serious difficulties for citizens, particularly children, elderly people and individuals who have limited mobility. Residents also face concerns when walking through neighbourhood streets, visiting public parks or travelling on roads where stray dogs gather.
Wahab stressed that the relevant authorities should work towards a coordinated approach to address these complaints. He also questioned the practice of shifting responsibility to other institutions instead of developing a practical mechanism to deal with the situation.
Referring to Turkey’s decision to kill stray dogs, the Karachi mayor indicated that adopting a similar approach would face strong opposition from his administration. He warned that if Karachi authorities pursued such a policy, they would face a campaign against the decision.
His statement suggests that the administration is not considering the mass killing of stray dogs as an acceptable solution. Instead, the challenge remains finding effective ways to protect residents while managing the stray animal population.
The issue requires careful consideration of public health, animal welfare and municipal responsibilities. Neutering programmes can help control population growth over time, but their effectiveness depends on consistent implementation, sufficient resources and additional measures to address immediate safety concerns.
Veterinary services, vaccination programmes, responsible waste management and effective complaint-response systems can also contribute to a more comprehensive approach. Proper coordination between municipal authorities and relevant animal welfare organizations may further help improve the situation.
For Karachi residents, preventing dog-bite incidents remains an important public safety concern. Citizens expect local authorities to respond to complaints, identify areas with repeated incidents and introduce measures that reduce risks in residential and commercial neighbourhoods.
The mayor’s latest remarks have renewed the discussion about how Karachi should handle its stray dog population. The effectiveness of the administration’s response will depend on developing a practical strategy that balances residents’ safety with humane treatment of animals.