Amid increase in dog-bites, two Sindh MPAs’ membership suspended

Issuing a written order, the Sindh High Court Sukkur Bench illuminated that a reply was sought from the Secretary Sindh Assembly but no answer was received from him, after which Ratodero and Jamshoro members of the Assembly has been suspended.

The Sindh Assembly has also asked other members to explain why they are not monitoring the dog-killing campaign in their respective constituencies.

The suspended Sindh Assembly members include Faryal Talpur from Ratodero and Malik Asad Sikandar from Jamshoro.

The court has taken the position that the MPA who does not supervise the dog-killing campaign will have his membership suspended. The suspended MPAs have also been directed to appear before the court on March 31 at 11 am.

In addition, a report has been sought from Deputy Commissioners Larkana and Shikarpur regarding dog-killing operations.

The rising incidence of dog bites in Sindh and non-provision of anti-rabies vaccination has been a topic of discussion in courts and media reports for some time. Last year, a 10-year-old boy was bitten by a dog in a village on the outskirts of Larkana and died due to lack of vaccine.

According to the in-charge of the Anti-Rabies Vaccination Center in Larkana, there is a severe shortage of dog bite vaccines in Jacobabad, Shikarpur and other districts. In such cases, patients travel to Larkana from all districts, which has led to shortage of vaccines in Larkana.

According to data released by the Sindh Director General of Health, in the first six months of 2020, more than 22,000 stray-dog -bites were reported in the Larkana division alone.

The number of such cases across the province is around 70,000, while 12 deaths have been reported, of which six deaths occurred in Karachi hospitals.