Claim: A video shows an elderly woman being dragged and attacked by stray dogs on a street in Karachi.
Fact: The video is from Jalandhar, India.
A Threads user shared a video (archive) writing, “محترم جناب مرتضی وہاب صاحب تک یہ ویڈیو پہنچائی ہے کراچی کے حالات۔”
[Translation: The video has been forwarded to Mr Murtaza Wahab. The situation of Karachi]
The video shows an elderly woman being attacked by a pack of dogs on a deserted street and has been shared across social media with similar claims.
Stray dogs in Karachi
Karachi is facing a growing crisis due to the uncontrolled breeding of stray dogs, leading to frequent attacks on residents. Despite treatment costs ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs7,000, many hospitals lack the necessary vaccines, forcing patients to arrange them privately, The Express Tribune reported.
In April 2024, Aaj News had reported that 300,000 people were bitten by stray dogs across Sindh in 2023. The report further stated that in Karachi alone, 18 people had died from dog bites, and over 70,000 sustained injuries in 2024.
According to a March 2024 report, Samira Hussain, the Project Director of the Rabies Control Program told The Express Tribune that three centres had been set up in Karachi to manage the stray dog population through scientific sterilisation methods. However, the issue remains largely unresolved.
Over the years, animal rights activists, vets, and civilians have criticised mass culling and killing campaigns. According to Arab News, Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF) filed a petition after hundreds of vaccinated and spayed dogs were found dead, many poisoned and tied together to prevent escape. The petition sought a uniform government policy for rabies control and population management instead of mass killings. The report further stated that Aftab Gauhar, a project manager at RFP claimed that “killing dogs is not only inhumane but ineffective.” He instead emphasised that rabies and rising dog populations can be controlled through sterilisation, mass vaccination drives, and community education.
In 2023, Dr Naseem Salahuddin, head of the infectious diseases department at The Indus Hospital said that the “killing of stray dogs was both cruel and ineffective as studies had shown,” reported Dawn News. She added that a humane and scientific approach involving community engagement and staff training is required to address the rising stray dog population.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check reverse-searched keyframes of the video and found that it was shared by several Indian news outlets, including Indian News and Times of India. According to the Indian News’ video, an elderly woman in Punjab’s Jalandhar was attacked by eight dogs while returning home alone. Despite her efforts to defend herself, no one noticed as the street was deserted, the newscaster stated. The woman sustained 25 dog bites and also suffered a head injury after falling when the dogs pulled at her.
A report by The Tribune, another Indian publication, also featured a still from the video. According to the report, the incident occurred in broad daylight at DD Enclave Phase II, near Satguru Kabir Chowk in Jalandhar. The victim, a 65-year-old woman, was on her way home from a gurdwara when the dogs attacked her. Hearing her cries for help, two local men rushed to her rescue after which the dogs dispersed, the report added.
Virality
The video was shared here, here, here, here, here, and here on Facebook. Archived here, here, here, here, here, and here.
On Threads, it was shared here (archive).
It was also shared here on TikTok.
Conclusion: The video circulating on social media showing a woman being attacked by stray dogs is from India and not Karachi.
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Background image in cover photo: AfPakWatch.com
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