Alarming problem of stray dogs.

In recent years, the problem of stray dogs in Ho Chi Minh City is no longer an isolated phenomenon in suburban areas but has spread to densely populated residential areas, public playgrounds, apartment buildings, small alleys, and even major traffic arteries.

Dogs are running loose without muzzles on Huong Lo 3 ​​road, Tam Long ward.

Dogs running loose without muzzles or leashes, defecating indiscriminately, chasing pedestrians, and even attacking children and adults have become a constant nightmare for residents. More dangerously, this situation also poses a serious risk of traffic accidents and increases the risk of rabies transmission – a disease with an almost 100% mortality rate.

Heartbreaking incidents involving stray dogs.

In a short period of time, several serious incidents involving stray dogs have occurred consecutively, causing widespread public outrage. A prime example is the incident that took place on the evening of December 7th in Hai Phuc neighborhood, Phuoc Hai commune. A 4-year-old girl, THLĐ, was being taken to the central square by her father for a playground when she was suddenly attacked and bitten by a stray dog. As a result, her face and left eye suffered serious injuries requiring multiple stitches, and she was severely traumatized.

Sharing his grief, Mr. Ta Van Lua, the child's father, said that this was a familiar play area for many children in his neighborhood. He couldn't believe that such a thing happened so quickly and dangerously. If the residents hadn't intervened in time, the consequences for his child would have been unimaginable. He hopes that dog owners will be more responsible towards the community.

Earlier, at around 6:00 AM on May 22nd, Mr. TVH (born in 1985, residing in Phuoc Tinh commune, now Long Hai commune) was riding his motorbike on Provincial Road 44A when he collided with a stray gray and white dog. The collision caused Mr. H to fall onto the road and be struck by a car traveling behind him. As a result, Mr. H died on the spot. The dog also died later. This tragic accident has left a lasting trauma for the people in the area.

Most recently, Ms. Do Thi Hao, residing in Tam Long ward, was involved in an accident while returning home from work with her two young children when a stray dog ​​suddenly crossed the road. The sudden braking caused all three to fall onto the road. Ms. Hao and her daughter suffered broken arms and collarbones, while fortunately, her son, who was sitting behind her, only sustained minor abrasions.

These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the problem of stray dogs. In fact, in many residential areas, the sight of pack dogs running loose on the streets has become all too familiar, but it is precisely this familiarity that creates a daily risk.

Besides causing traffic accidents, stray dogs are also a particularly dangerous source of rabies transmission. According to statistics from the health sector, Ho Chi Minh City records tens of thousands of dog bite cases each year, the majority of which involve pet dogs that are not properly managed.

A pack of stray dogs gathered in the Gia Phat Sake residential area, Nam Hoa Long neighborhood, Tam Long ward ( Ho Chi Minh City).

Speaking to reporters, Dr. Luong Chinh Thien, Deputy Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC), said that during the period 2022-2025, the number of rabies exposure cases due to bites from stray dogs and cats increased rapidly, especially in the Ba Ria - Vung Tau area. Notably, this area has recorded 6 deaths due to rabies, with Long Dat district (formerly) alone having 4 rabies outbreaks in dogs and cats.

The number of people requiring post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been increasing year by year. Specifically, in 2022 there were over 2,160 people, in 2023 nearly 6,000 people, in 2024 over 12,800 people, and by 2025 it will reach 14,389 people, a record high.

According to Doctor Thien, there is currently no specific treatment for rabies. Once the disease develops, the mortality rate is almost 100%. Meanwhile, many people are still complacent, failing to get vaccinated promptly after being bitten by a dog, leading to extremely serious consequences.

In reality, the root cause of the problem of stray dogs stems from the mindset of some dog owners. Many people still maintain the habit of letting their dogs run freely on the streets, without muzzles, leashes, or even with complete vaccinations. When incidents occur, some owners try to evade responsibility, causing public outrage.

In the Gia Phat Sake residential area, on Road 46B, Nam Hoa Long neighborhood, Tam Long ward, the problem of stray dogs is a frequent occurrence. Along just a short stretch of road, more than a dozen dogs roam freely every day. Whenever a stranger enters the neighborhood, the pack of dogs rushes out, barking loudly and surrounding them, frightening many residents. Furthermore, the dogs defecate everywhere, creating unsanitary conditions and seriously affecting the daily lives of the residents.

Ms. Le Thi Kim, a resident of Gia Phat Sake area, expressed her frustration: “Every day I see dogs running around on the streets, without leashes or muzzles. I've been chased by dogs many times while exercising. We hope the authorities will take strict action and demand that dog owners be responsible to the community.”

Authorities have intervened, but many difficulties remain.

Authorities in Ngai Giao commune, Ho Chi Minh City, launched an operation to catch stray dogs in the area.

Faced with this alarming situation, many local authorities have intensified efforts to raise awareness and encourage people not to let their dogs roam freely and to ensure they receive all necessary vaccinations. However, enforcing regulations in practice still faces many difficulties.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Phuc, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuoc Hai commune, said that in the past, the locality regularly launched campaigns to deal with the situation of letting dogs roam freely, but the force is thin, while the awareness of some people is still limited, leading to the situation of "catching them and then having them reappear". Tracing the owners when incidents occur is also not easy.

In Tam Long ward, a representative from the Department of Economy, Infrastructure and Urban Development stated that after the administrative unit merger, organizing campaigns to catch stray dogs has encountered many difficulties, especially in the process of handling the dogs after they are captured.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Thiet, Deputy Head of the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine of Ho Chi Minh City, after the expansion of administrative boundaries, the total number of dogs and cats has exceeded 310,000. This poses a significant challenge to livestock management and rabies prevention and control.

During the period 2026-2030, the city aims to manage over 90% of households raising dogs and cats, achieve a vaccination rate of over 90% of the total animal population, and ensure that 100% of communes and wards monitor suspected cases of rabies; striving to have at least 60 communes and wards recognized as rabies-free by 2030.

In particular, the city provides 100% of the funding for vaccines and vaccination services for dogs and cats in 54 communes and wards. The Veterinary Department is also implementing software to manage the dog and cat population; collecting approximately 3,500 serum samples annually to assess the effectiveness of immunity after vaccination. However, according to Mr. Thiet, significant difficulties remain due to the scattered distribution of dogs and cats, the transportation of animals without quarantine declarations, low awareness of vaccination in some areas, and inconsistent communication efforts.

In reality, solving the problem of stray dogs cannot rely solely on short-term campaigns. The core issue remains the self-awareness of the people. "If each household properly follows regulations such as not letting dogs roam freely, muzzling them when going out, ensuring full vaccination, and registering their pets according to regulations, the risk of accidents and rabies will be significantly reduced," Mr. Thiet said.

"We hope that, in addition to propaganda and mobilization efforts, the local authorities will strengthen strict penalties for violations to create a deterrent effect," suggested Ms. Le Thi Ngoc, a resident of Ngai Giao commune.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/bao-dong-van-nan-cho-tha-rong-20251211162157122.htm