Extension of stray dogs neutralization to divisional headquarters approved for containing rabies.

PESHAWAR -- After obtaining satisfactory results from the neutralization of stray dogs in the provincial metropolis to contain deadly rabies disease, the Livestock and Dairy Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided extension of the initiative to all the divisional headquarters of the province.

The Livestock department had launched a project in January 2020 of offering a financial incentive for lockdown affected public of Peshawar of getting cash reward of Rs. 200 for catching a stray dog'.

'The reward was announced to involve and engage those who lost their livelihood due to coronavirus lockdown in an activity aimed at ensuring better public health and safety,' informed Dr. Syed Masoom Ali Shah, Project Director.

Later in the same year, another initiative of mobile operation theatre started in Peshawar for neutralizing of stray dogs after catching them on the spot.

Talking to reporter, Dr. Masoom said after evaluating the good result of the project, it has been decided to extend the initiative at divisional headquarters of the province.

During the initiative, thousands of dogs were operated and neutralized which were caught and brought to the department.

The project helped in reducing infection of deadly rabies disease from 8000 cases to 3000 during that period at Lady Reading Hospital, the largest health facility in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Masoom claimed.

The proposal for expansion of the project with an estimated cost of Rs. 40.7 million was proposed by the Livestock department which has been approved by Chief Economist, Dr. Masoom added.

Now neutralization of stray dogs will start in cities including Mardan, Swat, Kohat, Bannu, Abbotabad and D.I.Khan, he went on to say.

The Water and Sanitation Companies in all these cities will extend support and cooperation to the Livestock department in making the drive successful, Masoom continued.

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