PMA President Expresses Grave Concern Over Child’s Death Due to Dog Bite in Lahore

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: President of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Prof. Shahid Malik, has expressed deep sorrow and grave concern over the tragic death of an innocent child in Lahore following a dog bite, calling it a serious public health failure.
In a statement, Prof. Malik urged the Government of Punjab to immediately revoke the Animal Birth Control Policy 2021 and introduce a comprehensive and effective strategy to curb the rapidly growing population of stray dogs.
He emphasized that, until a revised policy is implemented, the government should reinstate pre-2021 measures without delay to control the stray dog population and ensure public safety.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Prof. Malik revealed that more than 400,000 dog bite cases have been reported over the past two years, describing it as an alarming public health crisis. He added that the number of stray dogs in Punjab has now exceeded one million, posing a significant threat to human life.
Referring to legal provisions, he noted that Clause 3 of the Local Government Act 2025 authorizes Assistant Commissioners and district administrations to take action against dangerous animals, including stray dogs. He clarified that no court has issued a stay order preventing such action.
Prof. Malik also expressed concern over what he described as misleading claims by certain officials, who cite a High Court stay order as a reason for inaction. He termed these claims as attempts to evade responsibility.
Calling for urgent intervention, he urged the provincial government and relevant authorities to declare the situation an emergency, implement a robust policy to control stray dog populations, and prioritize the protection of human lives.