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The reported 29,000 dog bite cases and 19 deaths from rabies in Karachi during 2025 highlight a serious public health issue that requires immediate solutions. But while public safety is paramount, the historical reliance on mass culling of stray dogs has proven ineffective in the long term. Reactive strategies are also pointless, as the problem is simply too large for such an approach.
A more sustainable solution is needed, one that humanely manages the stray dog population while directly reducing violent interactions between man and beast, and especially the transmission of rabies and other diseases. The most effective and humane strategy is large-scale implementation of trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) programmes, combined with mass dog vaccination campaigns. This approach stabilises the stray population by preventing reproduction and, most crucially, creates herd immunity against rabies by vaccinating a high percentage of dogs. While it seems a tall ask, several countries around the world have eliminated “dog-mediated human rabies deaths” without killing any healthy strays. Evidence from Karachi’s own pilot programmes, such as those run by the Rabies Control Program Sindh (RCPS), supports TNVR. In areas where RCPS operates, a significant reduction in rabies cases has been reported due to this methodology, proving that the project will almost certainly succeed if expanded.
The city government will also benefit from the love that man’s best friend gets from many wealthier city residents, as charity funding could help fill gaps in expanding coverage. On the health care front, consistent and free access to post-exposure treatment for all bite victims is a critical component of rabies control. One of the biggest hurdles, however, will be changing public behaviour, including proper disposal of waste and avoiding feeding strays. But of all the problems facing Karachi, this may be one of the easier ones to resolve. All it needs is a little bit of commitment from the government and buy-in from the public.
