Punjab reports 514,589 dog bite cases from Jan 2024 to March 2026

LAHORE: Punjab recorded 514,589 dog bite cases between January 2024 and March 2026, according to a report submitted by the provincial health and population department to the Lahore High Court.

The figures placed before the court showed that 232,704 people were bitten by dogs in 2024, while 243,299 cases were reported in 2025. In the first three months of 2026, another 38,586 dog bite incidents were documented across the province.

The report identified several districts with particularly high numbers of cases. Dera Ghazi Khan topped the list with 34,293 cases, followed by Rahim Yar Khan with 33,122 and Faisalabad with 32,853. Other districts with large numbers included Muzaffargarh, where 29,471 cases were reported, Rajanpur with 27,500, and Rawalpindi with 26,586.

In Lahore, 18,514 people were bitten by dogs. Gujranwala recorded 20,147 cases, while Kasur reported 19,372. Other districts mentioned in the report were Mianwali with 19,099 cases, Multan with 16,213, Sargodha with 15,746, Sheikhupura with 15,340, and Gujrat with 15,468.

According to the health and population department, dog bite incidents are being monitored continuously throughout Punjab, and arrangements are in place to ensure immediate treatment and the administration of anti-rabies vaccination to affected people.

The department also told the court that vaccine stocks were available at health facilities and provincial stores. 17,079 anti-rabies vaccine vials were available in provincial stock, while districts had 52,640 vials in stock.

District headquarters and tehsil headquarters hospitals, as well as rural health centres, had fixed minimum quantities of anti-rabies vaccine vials. Under this arrangement, DHQ hospitals are to keep at least 100 vials each, THQ hospitals 50 each, and rural health centres 20 each.

The report was submitted in response to a petition filed by the Young Doctors Association, which questioned the government’s failure to control dog bite incidents. Justice Khalid Ishaq adjourned proceedings until May 4 for further arguments after reviewing the department’s submission.

LHC seeks undertakings on dog birth control policy

In a separate matter, the Lahore High Court on Thursday sought written undertakings from the Punjab government, the Lahore Waste Management Company and the Livestock Department for strict implementation of the Punjab Animal (Dogs) Birth Control Policy 2021.

Justice Hassan Nawaz Makhdoom was hearing a petition filed by PPP-Lahore leaders Majeed Ghouri and Waheed Lodhi.

Barrister Maqsooma Zahra Bokhari told the court that LWMC officials had carried out a dog killing operation in Johar Town the other day despite a verbal undertaking given by the Punjab government’s law officer.

She said the operation by gun-wielding officials also created panic in the area, which amounted to an act of terrorism.

Following the submission, the judge directed the respondents to provide written undertakings regarding enforcement of the policy. The court is set to take up the matter again on April 13.